The FAO-convened workshop on IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing has emphasised the need to combat illegal fishing and strengthen the seafood traceability in Asia.

Seafood products are among the most widely traded food commodities in the world, with estimates for 2015 placing the value of international fish trade at $130 billion. But illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) – estimated between $10 and $23 billion annually – is undermining the industry.

IUU fishing, which includes operating without authorisation, harvesting protected species, using outlawed fishing gear and violating quota limits, could account for up to 26 million tonnes a year, or more than 15 per cent, of the world’s total annual capture fisheries output, speakers at the workshop said.

The capacity building workshop was organised jointly by FAO, INFOFISH and the Centre with financial support from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on ‘National and regional good practices in seafood traceability in Asia to combat IUU fishing’.

“We are pleased to have this regional workshop in Kochi and to learn from the practical experiences and advice provided by workshop participants and international experts on seafood traceability,” said Victoria Chomo, FAO Fishery Industry Officer and workshop organiser.

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