The foundation of the GFCM IUU API

The GFCM IUU API is based on the GFCM Recommendation GFCM/44/2021/19 on the establishment of a list of vessels presumed to have carried out illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

General objective and scope

The GFCM is concerned by the fact that IUU fishing activities in the GFCM area of application continue, and that these activities diminish the effectiveness of the GFCM conservation and management measures. In this regard, GFCM has developed an API that collects IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) activities by vessels, and transmits this information together with evidence to concerned CPCs and Non-CPCs. The CPCs and Non-CPCs may be asked to investigate the alleged IUU activity and/or monitor the relevant vessels.

Information on presumed IUU fishing activities

The CPCs shall transmit to the GFCM Secretariat every year, information on vessels flying the flag of a non-contracting party and on vessels flying the flag of a CPC and presumed to be carrying out IUU fishing activities, accompanied by evidence reported by CPCs supporting the presumption of IUU fishing activity, including information on the identification of the concerned vessel.

Upon receipt of such information, the GFCM Secretariat shall promptly send it to all CPCs as well as to any non-contracting party concerned and request that, where appropriate, CPCs and any such non-contracting party investigate on the alleged IUU activity and/or monitor the relevant vessels.

Draft GFCM IUU vessel list

On the basis of the information received, the GFCM Secretariat shall draw up a draft GFCM IUU vessel list. The GFCM Secretariat shall transmit this list, together with the evidence supporting the presumption of IUU fishing activities provided, as well as the current GFCM IUU vessel list, to CPCs and non-contracting parties whose vessels are included in either list. The CPCs and relevant non-contracting party flag states may communicate their comments to the GFCM Secretariat as appropriate, including evidence showing that the listed vessels have not fished in contravention to GFCM conservation and management measures or had the possibility to fish in the GFCM area of application.

Upon receipt of the draft GFCM IUU vessel list, the CPCs shall closely monitor the vessels included therein list in order to determine their activities and possible changes of name, flag and/or registered owner.

Review and adoption of the provisional GFCM IUU vessel list

On the basis of the information received, the GFCM Secretariat shall draw up a provisional GFCM IUU vessel list that shall include the required information and transmit it to CPCs, together with all the evidence provided.

The CPCs may, at any time, submit to the GFCM Secretariat any additional information which may be relevant for the establishment of the GFCM IUU vessel list. The GFCM Secretariat shall circulate such information, together with all evidence provided, among the CPCs and the non-contracting parties concerned.

The CoC shall examine each year the provisional GFCM IUU vessel list as well as the information. The CoC shall remove a vessel from the provisional GFCM IUU vessel list if the evidence provided clearly demonstrates that the vessel is conforming with the recommendation.

Adopted GFCM IUU vessel list

The GFCM shall consider for approval the provisional GFCM IUU vessel list and the removal of vessels from the current GFCM IUU vessel list, as recommended by the CoC.

Deletion from the GFCM IUU vessel list

A flag state whose vessel appears on the GFCM IUU vessel list may request, during the intersessional period, the removal of the vessel from the list providing that the vessel is in line with the recommendations.

The API

In this regard, GFCM has developed an API which makes the transmission of data possible and easy. Users are able to explore the API through a web portal. All API methods include a description which helps the user to understand its functionality, the requested input, the return and the expected response.