This Recommendation of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), taking into account the FAO action to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, sets out a plan of action to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the GFCM area of application. The objective of the Plan is the prevention, deterrence and elimination of IUU fishing in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea by providing CPCs with comprehensive, effective and transparent measures through which to take action, thereby contributing to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources and marine ecosystems in the region, in accordance with Article 2 of the GFCM Agreement. The Plan sets out all general responsibilities for all member states and more specifically responsibilities for flag states, coastal states and port states. As for responsibilities of port states, each CPC shall, in its capacity as a port state, fully and effectively implement the GFCM regional scheme on port state measures contained in Recommendation GFCM/40/2016/1. The CPC port states have a duty to cooperate with the GFCM Secretariat and CPC flag states in order to strengthen control over vessels and prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, including via the GFCM mutual assistance system and to strenghten exchange of information. In the exercise of their inspection rights, and where the CPC port state has reasonable evidence for believing that a vessel has engaged in or supported IUU fishing in the GFCM area of application, the port state will immediately transmit the results of the inspection, without delay, to the flag state of the vessel and the GFCM Secretariat. The GFCM Secretariat shall develop a system for the exchange and collection of port state data. If the CPC flag state receives an inspection report which suggests that there are grounds for believing that its vessel has engaged in IUU fishing, the CPC flag state shall immediately and fully investigate the matter and shall, upon sufficient evidence, take enforcement.
2017-01-01