European Commission - Press release

Fighting illegal fishing: Warnings for Kiribati, Sierra Leone and Trinidad &
Tobago, while Sri Lanka is delisted
Brussels, 21 April 2016
EU warns Kiribati, Sierra Leone and Trinidad & Tobago with yellow cards as they risk being
uncooperative in the fight against illegal fishing. Sri Lanka reforms its fisheries system and
is delisted.
Today the Commission expands the global fight against illegal fishing by warning three more countries
in the Pacific, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean. Kiribati, Sierra Leone and Trinidad and Tobago risk
being listed as uncooperative in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. At
the same time, the Commission lifts the red card and associated trade measures off Sri Lanka, as it
has significantly improved its national fisheries governance.
European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, said:
Today's decisions are yet another sign of the EU's determination to fight illegal fishing globally. It also
shows that we can bring important players on board: Sri Lanka has now a robust legal and policy
framework to fight illegal fishing activities. As the fight against IUU fishing is part of the EU's
commitment towards sustainability and good ocean governance, each third country that comes on
board is an asset.
The EU's warning to Kiribati is based on concerns about the country's capacity to control fishing
activities by foreign fleets. There are serious risks that illegally caught fish could be laundered through
the ports of Kiribati, as they do not have robust traceability systems in place for fisheries products.
Kiribati's unwillingness to share important information on third country vessels operating in their
waters undermines the Commission's work to improve transparency and sustainability of tuna
resources in the Western and Central Pacific.
In Sierra Leone legal texts governing fisheries are outdated and sanctions fail to deter illegal
operators operating internationally under the flag of Sierra Leone, without the fisheries authorities'
knowledge. In addition, the number of licensed vessels exceeds the available resources and authorities
fail to monitor or control their waters.
Trinidad and Tobago also has a large fleet operating internationally where authorities do not control
or inspect foreign vessels, nor cooperate with relevant flag States. The poor traceability system also
causes the risk of laundering of fisheries products.
The Commission is proposing a tailor-made action plan that will help put in place robust fisheries
management control systems for these countries. If identified issues are not resolved within six
months, the EU can consider taking further steps, including trade sanctions on fisheries imports.
On a more positive note, after a lengthy dialogue process Sri Lanka has now successfully reformed its
fisheries governance system. The country was issued with a yellow card in 2012 and been listed by the
Council in February 2015. By today it has amended its legal framework, strengthened sanctions and
improved its fleet control.
Sri Lanka joins the growing list of countries (Ghana, Papua New Guinea, Korea, the Philippines, Fiji,
Belize, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu) that have reformed their systems, following a warning by the EU.
In this context, the Commission attaches particular importance to the ongoing dialogue with Thailand.
The country was warned with a yellow card due to its inadequate fisheries legal framework and poor
monitoring, control and traceability systems. Like all pre-identified countries, Thailand was proposed an
action plan to address shortcomings. The Commission is currently evaluating progress. The dialogue is
proving difficult and there remain serious concerns about the steps taken by Thailand to fight IUU
fishing activities. This means that further action by the Commission cannot be ruled out. A meeting
with the Thai authorities in May will be a new opportunity for them to show their good will and
commitment.
Background
Today's Decisions are based on the EU's 'IUU Regulation', which entered into force in 2010. This key

instrument in the fight against illegal fishing ensures that only fisheries products that have been
certified as legal can access the EU market.
Since November 2012 the Commission has been in formal dialogue with several third countries (preidentification or "yellow card"), which have been warned of the need to take strong action to fight IUU
fishing. In case of significant progress, the Commission can end the dialogue (lifting the preidentification status or "green card").
Formal dialogue is being held with Curacao (since November 2013), the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint
Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (since December 2014), Thailand (since April
2015) and with Taiwan and the Comoros (since October 2015). Fisheries products caught by vessels
from Guinea and Cambodia are banned from being imported into the EU since November 2013
(identification and listing or "red card").
More information
Question and Answers on the EU's fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
IP/16/1457
Press contacts:
Enrico BRIVIO (+32 2 295 61 72)
Iris PETSA (+32 2 299 33 21)
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