Norway has received support from the United Organizations for its proposal to develop technical guidelines aimed to a global, common catch certificate for fish, which will help in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, said Norway’s fisheries minister Elisabeth Aspaker.
Norway will now bring economic support to the project, which will be led by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“Harmonizing fish catch certificates is an important simplifying measure that will also strengthen the global efforts against illegal fishing. We are happy to financially to allow FAO to now undertake this work.”
Catch certificates verify the origin of the fish, documents that imported fishery products stem from legally caught fish and prevents fish products linked to illegal fishing from being sold onto the world market.
Since more and more countries are introducing requirements for catch certificates, Norway as an export nation believes it is important that such requirements do not lead to unnecessary obstacle to trade in seafood, said the Norwegian ministry.
And FAO as asked me to be involved.