Ottawa, ON - Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens national and international fish stocks and the broader ocean ecosystem. It is estimated that IUU fishing accounts for about 30 per cent of all fishing activity worldwide, posing negative consequences to fair markets and global seafood supply chains. As climate change accelerates pressure on already vulnerable fish stocks, like wild Pacific salmon, strong monitoring and enforcement efforts are crucial to maintaining healthy ecosystems and global food security.
Canada is continuing to do its part to combat IUU fishing to support a free, open, and secure maritime environment. Today, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched its fourth annual high seas patrol to detect and deter IUU fishing in the North Pacific Ocean. The mission, known as Operation North Pacific Guard (Op. NPG), is led by DFO fishery officers and supported by the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Canadian patrol also includes representatives from the United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Fisheries Agency of Japan, and the Republic of Korea Coast Guard.
Fishery officers and support personnel will patrol over 15,000 km of high seas while onboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Sir Wilfrid Laurier - a high endurance, multi-purpose, and biofuel-capable vessel that is also a light icebreaker. Over the course of two months, fishery officers will use their authority under international law to conduct high seas boardings and inspect fishing vessel operations (which are widespread in the high seas of the Pacific), to detect IUU fishing and verify that vessels are complying with regulations.
In addition to monitoring and enforcement by sea, Canada has deployed a long-range Fisheries Aerial Surveillance and Enforcement aircraft to Hokkaido, Japan. The aircraft is conducting daily aerial patrols to monitor fishing vessels and support partner countries. Canada's air surveillance program has previously been successful in identifying significant conservation concerns related to shark finning and the harpooning of dolphins, as well as salmon retention, pollution, and violations of vessel marking requirements.
By working together to combat IUU, this mission supports the sustainable use of marine resources around the world, protects fish stocks for future generations, and promotes global economic prosperity and food security.
