NOAA Fisheries Image Gallery

Illegal Fishing Off the Coast of Gabon

Picture by: Mike Markovina Picture taken on: September 6th, 2011

Tags: International IUU fishing vessel

Catching under-sized fish off the coast of Gabon. IUU fishing, by its very nature, can jeopardize and undermine conservation and management efforts for sustainable fisheries. Further, vessels engaged in IUU fishing often flout other rules as well, including habitat protections, basic safety requirements, labor rights, and food safety measures. Recognizing the many concerns regarding IUU fishing and the inability of existing international instruments to effectively address those concerns, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations developed an International Plan of Action (IPOA) to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing.

Related Story: Illegal Fishing Off the Coast of Gabon