From Our Blog: Recently with the ICCF Group

At the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia, members of the conservation caucuses of Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, and the United Kingdom signed a joint declaration pledging to use their legislative authority to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Members of the conservation caucuses of the legislatures of Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, and the United Kingdom signed a joint declaration of intent to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The signing took place at the Ocean Pavilion on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17).

Hon. Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, Vice Chair of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).

The ICCF Group convened the parliamentarians for a day of exchange. Legislators shared their countries’ experiences confronting IUU fishing, from monitoring and enforcement at sea to the laws that govern access to fishing grounds and the movement of catch through ports and markets. Together, they affirmed the serious threat IUU fishing poses to marine ecosystems, coastal economies, and the rule of law. Each pledged to prioritize the issue through his or her legislative authority, including lawmaking, budget oversight, and holding institutions accountable for enforcement.

Why it matters

IUU fishing is among the most serious threats to the health of the world’s oceans. It depletes fish stocks that coastal communities depend on and puts law-abiding fishers at a disadvantage. It deprives governments of revenue. It is also often linked to transnational crime, including forced labor, trafficking, and corruption. Because illegally caught fish moves across borders and through global supply chains, no country can solve the problem alone. Coordinated action among legislators, who write the laws, fund enforcement, and oversee implementation, is essential.

The declaration reflects growing momentum among legislators worldwide. In the U.S. Congress, bipartisan bills such as the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act and the Stop Illegal Fishing Act have advanced this year. The State Department also hosted a multinational dialogue on combating IUU fishing in September.

Looking ahead

Hon. Marcela Guerra Castillo, Co-Chair and Co-Founder of Mexico’s Conservation Caucus and Oceans Caucus.

The signatories will continue to share experiences and track progress through their national conservation caucuses. The ICCF Group will support continued dialogue among participating legislatures.