During the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Marine Fisheries Ministerial Conference, which took place from 2-4 July 2008, in Windhoek, Namibia, delegates agreed on measures to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and the landing and marketing of such catches at their ports.

The eight SADC coastal member States adopted a Statement of Commitment that includes measures on the development of national and regional port State measures, and the implementation of a progressive ban on trans-shipment of fish at sea. Ministers have also committed to set penalties for vessels caught with illegal catches and adopt measures to prohibit such vessels to enter their ports. Conservation NGOs have welcomed the Statement of Commitment.
Links to further information
Namibian, 7 July 2008
WWF press release, 10 July 2008