Illegal fishing activities: trade measures decided by the Council

On 24 March 2014, the Council of the European Union triggered a series of measures affecting the trade in fisheries products and other fisheries- related activities with Belize, Cambodia and Guinea in order to put a stop to commercial benefits stemming from illegal fishing activities. Ultimately, fisheries products caught by vessels from these countries will be banned from being imported into the EU.

The adoption of the implementing decision establishing a list of non-cooperating third countries in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing pursuant to regulation 1005/2008 is the first decision of this kind and follows a formal warning made in November 2012. This decision marks an intensification of the EU's fight against illegal fishing by identifying Belize, Cambodia and Guinea as non-cooperating third countries.

ESO: Background information: European Commission intensifies the fight against illegal fishing http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-commission-intensifies-the-fight-against-illegal-fishing/

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/205: Preparation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 24th March 2014 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-205_en.pdf

ESO: Background information: EU takes concrete action against illegal fishing http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-takes-concrete-action-against-illegal-fishing/

EUObserver, 24.03.14: EU bans fish imports from Belize, Cambodia, and Guinea http://euobserver.com/environment/123603

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