Through this Strategy, we are reinforcing our efforts to combat IUU fishing so that marine ecosystems are conserved and the food security, livelihoods, and sustainable development of communities around the world are supported. Our approach is to focus now on the identified priority regions and flag states and administrations with an intent to shift to other geographic regions and flag states or administrations as we build the coalition that works in harmony to stamp out IUU fishing. Step by step, we will build science-based, intelligence-driven fisheries management with monitoring, enforcement, and real consequences, incorporating innovative technologies and increased collaborative international and private sector information sharing. We will make seafood supply chains transparent and tackle forced labor in the fisheries sector.

On June 17, 2014, the White House released a Presidential Memorandum entitled "Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud." Among other actions, the Memorandum established a Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud. The Task Force was directed to report to the President "recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need." Those recommendations were provided to the President on December 18, 2014. There are 15 recommendations, which are broad in scope and call on agencies to take concrete and specific actions to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud throughout the seafood supply chain. This plan articulates the aggressive steps that federal agencies will take both domestically and internationally to implement the recommendations the Task Force made in December 2014. The plan identifies actions that will strengthen enforcement, create and expand partnerships with state and local governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations, and create a risk-based traceability program to track seafood from harvest to entry into U.S. commerce. The plan also highlights ways in which the United States will work with our foreign partners to strengthen international governance, enhance cooperation, and build capacity to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud. This book addresses the recommendations made by the Task Force.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens the viability of high seas living resources. This book details the efforts of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources Commission and the Australian government to adopt complementary measures to deter IUU fishing in the Southern Ocean. It describes how these various measures have proven effective in deterring IUU operators.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing poses not only a systemic threat to the environment, but also a sustained threat to national and regional security. In recognition of the scale and sophistication of this threat, a growing number of policy recommendations have been made to help shape national and international responses. Yet progress in developing effective and practical measures has in many cases been limited. This report seeks to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of this area, considering obstacles to, and opportunities for, more effective action. It does so by examining experiences in five countries: Indonesia; Thailand; Vietnam; Tanzania; and South Africa. In each case, the report examines the approaches taken by those states and the successes and failures of their policies – aiming, in the process, to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the obstacles to – and opportunities for – more effective action.

IUU fishing undermines the economic and environmental sustainability of the fishing industry in the U.S. and globally. IUU fishing encompasses many illicit activities, including under-reporting the number of fish caught and using prohibited fishing gear. While the illicit nature of IUU fishing means its consequences can only be estimated, a recent study estimates catches from IUU fishing could cause global economic losses up to $50 billion annually. A variety of federal agencies coordinate with one another, as well as internationally, to address IUU fishing at sea. This report examines how the U.S. (1) works with other nations to address IUU fishing at sea, (2) identifies potential incidents of IUU fishing at sea, and (3) coordinates its interagency efforts to combat IUU fishing at sea and the extent to which selected efforts are consistent with leading collaboration practices. GAO is making one recommendation to the Department of Defense to determine whether it has the authority to continue Operation Junction Rain and, if not, seek the authority to do so.