This paper discusses the potential value of catch documentation schemes (CDS) in deep-sea fisheries, and the implementation aspects that have to be taken into account to ensure the effectiveness of this trade-based tool to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The paper argues that the schemes are indeed useful for addressing IUU fishing practices known to occur in deep-sea fisheries, and that their adoption would improve compliance with fisheries management requirements. Key infringements that could be directly detected and addressed include - but are not limited to - violations of closed areas harbouring protected vulnerable marine ecosystems in the deep ocean, and quota overfishing. The paper also establishes the notion that partial coverage of given species through a CDS at the level of regional fisheries management organizations is incongruous. Given that most deep-sea fisheries species have broad distributions that straddle many regional organisations, the most suitable implementation model appears to be a centrally operated electronic CDS platform - called a super-CDS - shared by a plurality of institutional and state players.

Book Information
ISBN 9789251311158
Author Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Format Paperback
Page Count 93
Imprint Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Publisher Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)