At the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) in Mombasa, Kenya, the United States announced 24 commitments worth over $96 million, subject to Congressional notification, to advance maritime security; combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and promote science-based fisheries management. These commitments include over $52 million to counter IUU fishing across every ocean basin where it threatens communities and ecosystems. The United States also highlighted the first-ever use of visa restrictions targeting foreign nationals who are responsible for, complicit in, facilitating, or benefiting from IUU fishing and IUU fishing-related activities.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Ocean, Fisheries, and Polar Affairs Ruth Perry led the United States delegation at OOC11. By moving away from broad, hollow platitudes and focusing on measurable, market-driven outcomes, the United States delivered tangible results securing deals in the ocean economy, expanding opportunities for American industries, and protecting global fisheries from the tens of billions of dollars lost to IUU fishing each year.
