FAO convened a technical consultation from 24-29 June 2004 in Rome to review progress and promote the implementation of the International Plan of Action (IPOA) to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Attended by 84 FAO members and representatives of the European Union, the meeting recommended that governments increase the severity of penalties for IUU fishing, cooperate more to suppress trade in illegally caught fish, and establish better international controls on exports of fishing boats from one region to another. Noting an ongoing build-up of capacity in tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean, delegates suggested that governments in the region should give priority attention to addressing the situation, including halting introductions of additional large-scale fishing vessels. They also tasked FAO with: creating a central repository of information on IUU fishing activities worldwide; developing a common set of benchmarks for measuring fishing capacity; conducting a global review of fishing capacity; and intensifying the technical support provided to developing countries struggling with the problems of capacity management and illicit fishing. More information is available at: ftp://ftp.fao.org/fi/DOCUMENT/tc-iuu-cap/2004/default.htm