International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing is a global observance focused on raising awareness about the devastating consequences of IUU fishing. The day highlights the importance of adopting sustainable fishing practices. It also emphasizes cooperation between nations and organizations to identify, deter, and eliminate these harmful activities. The observance seeks to promote the responsible use of marine resources for the benefit of future generations and to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and marine ecosystems.

Originating from the United Nations General Assembly resolution 72/72, the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing was first celebrated on June 5, 2018. For Canadians, this day is of particular relevance because the country's fishery and marine ecosystem are significant sources of cultural, economic, and ecological wealth. IUU fishing undermines the efforts taken by Canada to maintain sustainable fishing and poses a threat to the nation's fishery health and coastal communities, which rely on fishery resources for their livelihoods. Ensuring sustainable marine practices aligns with Canada's commitment toward the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use ocean, sea, and marine resources.

In recognizing this observance, Canadians typically engage in various activities, such as educational events, public seminars, and campaigns, aimed at fostering awareness of IUU fishing and its harmful consequences. The strategic exchange of information between government bodies, fishery organizations, and the public is also encouraged, as well as the sharing of resources and tools to combat IUU fishing effectively. The International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing is held annually on June 5 and serves as an important reminder of the need for continued global efforts in securing sustainable fishery practices and marine resources.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in Canada

• The International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing is observed annually on June 5 to commemorate the date in 2016 when the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing officially became the first legally binding international treaty dedicated to stopping illicit fishing.
• Canada has emerged as a global leader in maritime surveillance through the development of the Dark Vessel Detection program, which utilizes state-of-the-art satellite data from the Radarsat Constellation Mission to identify dark vessels that have intentionally disabled their location transponders to evade authorities.
• Recent reports from the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans highlight that illegal fishing practices cost the Canadian economy approximately $93.8 million in lost tax revenue and up to $379 million in potential income for honest domestic harvesters every year.
• Through the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative, the Canadian government is investing nearly $1.1 billion over ten years to protect iconic salmon stocks from the threat of international poaching, which is considered a significant driver in the decline of native populations.
• Canada’s leadership is further demonstrated by Operation North Pacific Guard, an annual multinational enforcement mission where Canadian fishery officers patrol thousands of kilometers of high seas to detect illegal activities such as shark finning and the use of prohibited driftnets.
• The global fight against these activities is increasingly vital because illegal fishing is often linked to crimes of convergence, including human trafficking, forced labor, and the trafficking of narcotics across international waters.
• As part of the G7 Charlevoix Blueprint for Healthy Oceans, Canada committed millions of dollars to provide high-quality fisheries intelligence and monitoring technology to small island nations in the Indo-Pacific and South Pacific to help them safeguard their own coastal food security.
• Under the policy framework of A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature, the federal government has expanded its use of daily aerial surveillance out of Hokkaido, Japan, to monitor migratory routes and ensure international law is upheld in the Northwest Pacific.

In the News and Trending in Canada for International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

Top things to do in Canada for this observance

• Explore the Port State Measures that countries agreed to in order to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about illegal fishing practices in Canada. Here are some suggestions:
  1. The End of the Line (2009): This documentary looks at the global crisis of overfishing, including the effects on Canadian waters. It is based on the book by Charles Clover and covers topics such as illegal fishing and unsustainable practices that affect marine environments in Canada and around the world.
  2. Lobster War: The Fight Over the World's Richest Fishing Grounds (2018): This documentary focuses on the Canada-US border dispute over valuable lobster fishing territory in the Gray Zone, an area claimed by both nations. Though not entirely focused on illegal fishing, it provides insights into the challenges faced by fishermen and the government in managing and regulating fishing practices in disputed areas.
  3. Atlantic (2016): This documentary examines the struggles of fishermen in Ireland, Norway, and Newfoundland, Canada, as they face challenges related to overfishing, illegal fishing, and activities of large fishing corporations in their waters.
• Read a book to learn more about unregulated fishing in Canada. Here are some recommendations:
  1. Canada and IUU Fishing: An Analysis of the Federal Fishing Regulations by Tullio Scovazzi
  2. Unsustainable Fisheries: The Need for Reform in Canadian Fisheries Management by Wyman Tobin
  3. Canadian Fisheries Management: IUU Fishing as a Common Problem by C. M. Burke