The toll of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
In a world of growing population and persistent hunger, fish has emerged as an important commodity for the achievement of food security. However, efforts by the international community to ensure the sustainability of fisheries are being seriously compromised by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.
According to the (FAO) recent report, ¡°,¡± over a third of fish stocks are being overexploited. IUU fishing catches millions of tonnes of fish every year. To curtail this, Target 4 of Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Agenda adopted in 2015 by the UN General Assembly, specifically urged the international community to ¡°effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices¡± by 2020.
Meeting this ambitious target requires strong awareness-raising efforts to draw the attention of the general public to the negative impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities, an activity in which FAO has been actively engaged.
Sustainable fishing starts with us!
It is estimated that 1 in every 5 fish caught comes from IUU fishing. When such fish ends up on our plates, we are unwitting accomplices in unsustainable, and often criminal practices, that are damaging for our future well-being and the sustainability of our planet. But we can help change that. Together we can stop it!
Follow and share your commitment to fight IUU fishing, and explore sharable materials on FAO's campaign kit. #FightIUUFishing #SaveOurOcean
Code of conduct and international agreements
To promote long-term conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources the 1995 FAO Conference adopted the . The Code is voluntary and sets out principles and international standards of behavior for responsible practices with a view to ensuring the effective conservation, management and development of living aquatic resources, with due respect for the ecosystem and biodiversity.
In 2009 the FAO Conference adopted the . This agreement remains the first binding international treaty specifically targeting IUU fishing and it stipulates minimum port State measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It entered into force on 5 June 2016. As of 2025, the agreement continues to expand in global coverage and implementation, with new member accessions, including major fishing nations, strengthening its reach and enforcement impact.
In parallel, the is being implemented globally, prohibiting subsidies linked to illegal and unregulated fishing and reinforcing international governance frameworks.
Global cooperation and UN system action
FAO plays a central role in combating IUU fishing through global cooperation and capacity-building initiatives. Since 2022, FAO has in strengthening legal and operational frameworks to combat IUU fishing. In addition, recent has intensified: FAO, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted over 50 recommendations in 2024 to strengthen enforcement, labor protections, and monitoring systems across the fisheries sector.
Background
In 2015, the of the FAO proposed that an initiative be launched to declare an International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. Following extensive consultations, a proposal was submitted to the attention of the thirty-second session of FAO Committee on Fisheries.
The endorsed the proposal for the declaration of 5 June as the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. The date reflects the day when the officially entered into force as an international treaty. The entry into force of this agreement marks an historical event, as it is the first international legally-binding instrument specifically devoted to the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The proposed draft resolution was submitted to the (July 2017) for approval. In December 2017 the UN General Assembly in its proclaimed 5 June as the "International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing." In the same resolution the UN also declared 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, which will help focus attention on the small-scale fishermen and women who comprise 90 percent of the world's fisheries work force.
Over A Third of Fish Stocks Are Being Overexploited Says FAO at UN Ocean Conference
FAO¡¯s report, ¡°,¡± which draws on data from 2,570 marine fish stocks ¨C ¨C paints a complex picture: while over a third of stocks are being overexploited, 77 per cent of fish consumed globally still come from sustainable sources, thanks to stronger yields from well-managed fisheries.
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 - Blue Transformation in Action
In addition to statistics and trends on fisheries and aquaculture, the 2024 report presents scenarios for supply of aquatic animal food up to 2050, forecasting changes in aquatic animal food supply based on population growth.
