Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
UK backs new European efforts to combat illegal fishing
UK Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw has backed new European Union moves to stamp out the global trade in illegal fish.
Ministers meeting in Lisbon this week signed a declaration aimed at stopping illegal produce entering the food chain, calling for existing control and surveillance measures aimed at fishermen, processors and importers to be strengthened.
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a worldwide organised crime that deprives poor communities of up to $9 billion in lost income every year - $1 billion of which is lost to Africa.
In April the UK government gave its backing to a new system to beat illegal fishing around the world by tracking fish from the moment they are caught to when they arrive on consumers' plates.
Jonathan Shaw said:
"Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a huge problem and a major threat to fish stocks and marine life globally. As the second biggest fish processor in Europe, the UK has to play its part.
"Illegal fishing will always exist where there is a weak link in the chain, where uneven enforcement fails to achieve a level playing field and fishermen and processors that abide by the rules are driven out of business.
"The private sector plays an essential role in the vanguard against the illegal fish trade, and we are working closely with our retail and processing industry to reduce the chance of illegal produce entering the UK."
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
To subscribe or unsubscribe to Defra's mailing list go to: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/
Once on the GNN website see Sign up
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Website
http://www.defra.gov.uk
