UK Government continues to lead the fight against illegal fishing

A joint Government and insurance industry workshop was held to ensure UK compliance with illegal fishing regulations

Tags:
2015-11-21

On Friday 20 November, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Marine Management Organisation (MMO) co-hosted a workshop on ensuring global compliance with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations, demonstrating the UK’s continued lead in the fight against illegal fishing.

The workshop was attended by key UK insurance industry bodies. As a global financial hub, London based insurers play a crucial role in cracking down on IUU fishing: uninsured vessels engaged in the trade are severely curtailed in their ability to trade in illegally caught fish.

Working together with private sector partners, the MMO and FCO are targeting not just those directly involved in illegal fishing, but all individuals and companies who derive economic benefit from the practice. Today’s workshop ensures UK companies are aware of, and adhere to, the requirements of IUU legislation and understand the risks associated with insuring vessels which participant in unlawful fishing.

Speaking in support of the UK’s work to tackle IUU fishing, UK FCO Minister James Duddridge said:

“The UK Government continues to strive to protect oceans, both at home and our Overseas Territories, developing well-managed and protected waters which coastal communities are so reliant on. Many UK businesses – such as the insurance industry – have a global reach, and as such we must ensure that they understand and are compliant with international obligations to which the UK is a signatory. We welcome to work undertaken by the MMO, which further restricts the ability of unlawful vessels to operate around the globe.”

Source: UK Department for International Development

  • 244 reads