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The marking and identification of fishing vessels

Year of publication 2017

Pages 12p.

Author TM Tracking, Stop Illegal Fishing and the FAO-WECAFC Secretariat

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Document

ISBN No ISBN

Series number Brochure WECAFC (TrackingVessels)

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Marking fishing vessels with suitable identifiers is an important tool for fisheries management. It enables identification of fishing vessels in port or at sea, which allows for monitoring of compliance to rules and regulations applicable to the vessel and its fishing activities. Clearly marked vessel identifiers form the basis for a vessels’ inclusion in a vessel register or authorised vessel list. In addition, markings facilitate safety at sea by enabling physical identification and communicat ions between vessels, and can help to deter vessel theft. The Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) is working to increase awareness and build capacity on vessel marking and identification, among WECAFC members, in support of the national and regional fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and the establishment of a regional vessel record.

Statutory body / Meeting title Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC)

Language English

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    The marking of fishing vessels is important for their identification, to support the global efforts to promote sustainable fisheries, for safety at sea and to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. For this reason, the FAO Standard Specifications for the Marking and Identification of Fishing Vessels were developed and endorsed by COFI in 1989 as a voluntary instrument providing a standardized system for the identification of fishing vessels operating, or likely to operate, in waters of another State. Global developments have had an impact on the usefulness of the FAO Standard Specifications, specifically the increased use of the International Maritime Organization number as a unique vessel identifier and the establishment of the FAO’s Global Record. This document provides background to the development of the FAO Standard Specifications and the results of a study to assess the level of their adoption at the national, regional and international levels. It also describes progress in the areas of vessel identity, vessel tracking, different vessel types and catch traceability and how these impact the usefulness of the FAO Standard Specifications. Finally, the document proposes a review and update of the FAO Standard Specifications.
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    The Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels 2016
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    The Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels provides a single access point for information on vessels used for fishing and fishing-related activities to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. As such, it gathers and disseminates certified, unequivocal information about vessels and vessel-related activities provided by the official State authorities responsible for it. It also gathers and provides historical information, such as data on vessels not currently holding any fishing authorization. IUU fishing accounts for USD 10-23 billion worth of fish taken annually. This means that 1 in 5 fish is taken from the world’s oceans using IUU fishing methods, posing a serious sustainability issue for our oceans and for their eco-system management. The Global Record aims to strengthen fisheries management and the sector’s sustainability in order to contribute to human and ecosystem well-being.
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