Fisheries: EU lifts Kiribati’s “yellow card” following reforms of its control system

The European Commission is lifting the yellow card to Kiribati after four and half years of close cooperation. The “yellow card” is an official warning issued by the European Union to trading partners falling short of tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. By lifting the card, the European Commission recognises the important progress of Kiribati in addressing the shortcomings in its fisheries governance. Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said: “I stand for zero tolerance on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. I am therefore happy to acknowledge Kiribati’s efforts in this joint fight. They have cooperated actively with the Commission and addressed effectively the shortcomings in their fisheries control system, becoming a new ally in delivering healthier oceans and a level playing field for those fishers that play by the rules”.  The European Commission warned Kiribati in April 2016 that they were not doing enough against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Since then, in close cooperation with the European Commission, the country embarked on a series of reforms to bring their fisheries control legislation in line with international law and is now equipped to deal with illegal fishing effectively. Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the most serious threats to the sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources, jeopardising the very foundation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the EU’s international efforts to promote better ocean governance. IUU fishing also represents a major hazard to the marine environment, the sustainability of fish stocks and marine biodiversity. Sustainable fisheries in Europe and across the world contribute to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy for the marine environment. More information is available in the press release and Q&A.