Council Regulation (EC) Regulation No. 1005/2008 And Current Practices In Belize

IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing is a term commonly used in the fishing industry worldwide. IUU practices pose a major threat to the sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources and to regional and international efforts to protect marine biodiversity. It is estimated that IUU fishing activities represent US$15 billion per year and it is equivalent to almost 20% of the catch value that is reported worldwide.

In an effort to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, the European Union implemented Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 on September 29th 2008 ("Regulation 1005/2008") which entered into force on 1st January 2010.

Regulation 1005/2008 regulates the importation of fish products both processed and unprocessed (with some exceptions) to the EU either by EU flagged vessels or third country vessels (non-EU Member State). It also aims to regulate fishing activities of EU vessels exporting fish products outside the EU. As prescribed by Regulation 1005/2008, it is essential that EU Member States, third countries and the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO's) cooperate mutually so compliance with the different rules can be implemented as much as possible in all countries with fishing activities.

In the same line as Regulation 1005/2008, the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) in conjunction with the Belize Fisheries Department has worked tirelessly in the fight against IUU fishing.

Back in 2003 Belize adopted the High Seas Fishing Act (the "HSFA"), which mainly embodies the regulations of the various RFMOs. The HSFA set up the legal framework to manage a fleet of fishing vessels in a regulated manner. Since the inception of this legislation, Belize has deleted an astounding 513 non-compliant fishing vessels from its registry, which effectively reduced its fleet by 75%. This move, which is truly exemplary, reflects Belize's commitment to promoting a regulated fishing industry in line with the EU's initiatives. Currently Belize is in the process of revising this act to further tighten their regulatory framework and to make accommodations for new RFMO and EU regulations in an effort to promote responsible and sustainable fisheries in our oceans.

Belize is currently listed as contracting member or cooperating non-contracting member of different RFMO's where Belizean flagged vessels operate, including ICCAT, IATTC, WCPFC, IOTC, NEAFC and SPRFMO; and as such, Belizean vessels are...