Since February 2016, EJF has observed improvements in inspection procedures, adoption of a risk-based approach to vessel inspections, and the proliferation of translators at PIPO centres. This briefing presents the issues that remain and recommendations to address them.

This briefing details the EJF investigation which uncovered shockingly cruel and illegal practices on Taiwanese fishing vessels, including harpooning dolphins, finning and discarding tens of thousands of sharks, and catching vulnerable species of sea turtles and hammerheads. Nor were the vessels free of the same human rights abuses previous EJF investigations have revealed in the fleet.

The Government of Ghana has committed to rebuildingthe nation’s fisheries through key measures set out inthe 2015-2019 Fisheries Management Plan. The nationalfisheries law framework is also undergoing a revision toensure emerging challenges are addressed and to bringGhana’s laws into line with international standards. Thisprocess offers a crucial opportunity to ensure principlesof sustainable management and good governance areenshrined within Ghana’s fisheries laws and future policies.

A new international agreement on migration – the UN Global Compact on Migration – is set to be adopted in autumn 2018. It covers a range of issues, from the drivers of migration to access to social services, and offers a chance to improve the governance of migration. However, as a soft-power tool that does not place any binding obligations on states, it cannot replace the unambiguous, legally binding agreement to protect climate refugees that EJF is calling for.

EJF is encouraged by the reforms made in Thailand to date, however we have documented continuing gaps and shortcomings that are inhibiting Thailand’s fishing industry from developing into a truly ethical and sustainable sector. In order to achieve this goal - mutually shared by the RTG and EJF - there are several substantive structural steps that must now be taken to ensure the positive progress made so far can be sustained into the future.

Investigations by EJF into the related problems of human trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Taiwan’s massive distant water fishing fleet has revealed worrying findings. This briefing details the structural shortcomings in Taiwan’s management of its deep water fleet that allow human trafficking and human rights abuses to persist.

Ten years after the adoption of the EU IUU Regulation, this new report by EJF, Oceana, The Pew Charitable Trusts and WWF examines how the EU’s carding system has impacted the flow of seafood products into and within the EU.

It is the first detailed analysis to show that shifts in seafood import flows have occurred since 2010 that appear directly related to the IUU Regulation. The report focuses on ‘high risk’ trade flows to the EU, in terms of the likelihood that products were caught in contravention of applicable fisheries rules.

Contrary to previous analyses, the report shows that weaknesses in member state import controls and uneven standards could be providing a route for non-compliant products to enter the EU market.

This short paper provides highlights from the Report 'The Impact of the IUU Regulation on Seafood Trade Flows'

Description of the full report:
Ten years after the adoption of the EU IUU Regulation, this new report by EJF, Oceana, The Pew Charitable Trusts and WWF examines how the EU’s carding system has impacted the flow of seafood products into and within the EU.

It is the first detailed analysis to show that shifts in seafood import flows have occurred since 2010 that appear directly related to the IUU Regulation. The report focuses on ‘high risk’ trade flows to the EU, in terms of the likelihood that products were caught in contravention of applicable fisheries rules.

Contrary to previous analyses, the report shows that weaknesses in member state import controls and uneven standards could be providing a route for non-compliant products to enter the EU market.

The Far Dwuma Nkɔdo project is implemented by EJF and Hen Mpoano, with funding from the EU. The project aims to secure greater environmental sustainability and social equity in Ghana’s fisheries sector, by supporting efforts to reduce illegal fishing and building the capacity of fishing communities in the sustainable management of their resource.

This report focuses on one particular result from climate change – the negative impact on food security and how this factor contributed to the desperation and anger that manifested itself against the Al-Assad regime in Syria.

The Syrian war has resulted in more than 470,000 deaths. 6.6 million people have been internally displaced and nearly five million people are residing in camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon as well as an estimated 1.2 million seeking refuge in Europe.

Whilst the war was not solely a result of climate change, the intertwining effects of drought, rural to urban migration, and the increasing unrest due to a lack of government measures to avoid water scarcity, unemployment and growing inequality, are clear.

This report presents recommendations that are designed to address the gaps that continue to hinder Thailand’s effort to combat illegal fishing and human trafficking

Enabled by political commitment at senior levels, the RTG has introduced a new legislative framework and regulations for fisheries, established technology-assisted monitoring and inspection regimes and has further signed up to the first of several key international instruments that are required in the fight against IUU and human trafficking. While the Thai reform path has been positive, gaps and shortcomings persist. EJF is encouraged by the proposed measures to address IUU as discussed at the Royal Thai embassy in London in July, but additional, structural measures are absolutely crucial if the reforms are to be effective, successful and entrenched inthe long-term.