7 September 2011: Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Jane Lubchenco, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator, signed a statement pledging bilateral cooperation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The statement commits the EU and the US to: work together to adopt the most effective tools to combat illegal fishing; continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement of management measures in their role as parties to regional fishery management organizations and to various international treaties; and use tools that prevent IUU operators from benefiting economically from their illegal activities. The statement also: includes a system to exchange information on IUU activities; promotes management measures at regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) that strengthen the control, monitoring and enforcement of vessels operation within certain areas; encourages other countries to ratify and implement the Port State Measures Agreement; and promotes the sustainable use of fisheries resources while preserving marine biodiversity. [EU Press Release] [Joint Statement]