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

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

The International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing seeks to raise awareness about IUU fishing's detrimental effects on fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of those who depend on sustainable fishing. It highlights the importance of sustainable fishing practices, keeping seafood traceable and regulated, and contributing to the overall health of our oceans. Though it was initially established by the United Nations (UN) in 2017, the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing holds significant relevance for New Zealand's fishing communities and industries. New Zealand boasts some of the world's most sustainable fisheries, with its Quota Management System that controls harvesting in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Unfortunately, the country is not exempt from the global issue of IUU fishing. By supporting this observance, New Zealanders can contribute to stopping illegal practices and protecting their nation's precious marine resources and ecosystems.

Typical customs for the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing in New Zealand may include educational events, seminars, and workshops discussing sustainability, updates on legal regulations in fisheries, and the collaboration of industry leaders to tackle IUU fishing practices. The day promotes seafood traceability, sharing information about resources, and community involvement in supporting sustainable fisheries. The International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing occurs annually on June 5th to sustain focus on this important issue affecting New Zealand's marine resources and international reputation.

Top 9 Facts for 2026 International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in NZ

• In 2026, the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing aligns with a significant domestic political focus, as Greenpeace Aotearoa has launched the Abundance over Greed campaign to make ocean protection and the banning of bottom trawling a central issue for the upcoming general election.
• The observance on June 5th commemorates the 2016 entry into force of the Agreement on Port State Measures, the first international treaty specifically designed to block vessels involved in illegal fishing from using ports and landing their catches.
• New Zealand is currently finalizing a multi-year review of its National Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU Fishing, which is scheduled for completion in November 2026 to align with the latest United Nations sustainability resolutions.
• A major point of interest for New Zealanders is the recent implementation of the Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, which grants authorities expanded powers to investigate and take enforcement action against vessels suspected of illegal activity beyond the country’s 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.
• Wellington serves as the global headquarters for the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation, which is the only international fisheries body to be based in New Zealand and is a critical hub for setting catch limits on species like orange roughy and jack mackerel.
• High-value species such as the Antarctic toothfish and southern bluefin tuna remain primary targets for international poaching syndicates, often involving "dark vessels" that disable their tracking systems to evade the Royal New Zealand Navy and Air Force patrols in the Southern Ocean.
• Public interest in the human cost of illegal fishing has been sustained by works such as the documentary The Price of Fish, which investigates the exploitation of foreign crews and the impact of large-scale industrial trawling on New Zealand’s domestic fleet.
• New Zealand’s role in the IUU Fishing Action Alliance involves a high level of diplomatic coordination with the United Kingdom and the United States to address the link between illegal fishing and transnational crimes, including human trafficking and money laundering.
• The entry into force of the Global Ocean Treaty in early 2026 has provided a new legal framework for New Zealand to advocate for the creation of vast high-seas sanctuaries in the Tasman Sea, specifically to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems from unregulated deep-sea mining and industrial exploitation.

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

Top things to do in NZ 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 New Zealand. Here are our recommendations:
  1. The Price of Fish (2011)- This New Zealand documentary investigates the exploitation of fish stocks in the Southern Ocean, touching on issues such as illegal fishing and environmental impact.
  2. Poachers, Fish and the Mafia (2018): This two-part New Zealand documentary series investigates the illegal fishing crisis affecting the country and the threats these criminal activities pose to the nation's marine ecosystem.
  3. Chasing the Thunder (2018): A film by the co-founders of the Oceanic Preservation Society, this documentary follows the Sea Shepherd crew as they chase a notorious illegal fishing vessel, the Thunder, which was active in New Zealand waters.
• Celebrate today and visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum. Located in Auckland, the museum showcases New Zealand's maritime history and the role of fishing in the country's development. Learn about the sustainable fishing practices adopted by New Zealand and how they combat IUU fishing.