World: NOAA identified seven countries responsible for illegal fishing in its 2023 report to Congress

Two of these countries were also cited for issues related to forced labor, and two others were cited for concerns related to shark fishing. The biennial report, called the 2023 Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Governance, begins a two-year process in which certain countries must take the necessary steps to address IUU fishing, with potential import restrictions for those who do not comply. The 2023 report identifies Angola, Grenada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, Gambia and Vanuatu as countries and organizations involved in IUU fishing. A report from the International Trade Commission found that the United States imported $2.4 billion worth of seafood from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in 2019, which could severely deplete fish stocks, destroy habitats and supply jeopardizing global food security. IUU fishing is a low-risk, high-reward activity, especially on the high seas, where a fragmented legal framework and lack of effective enforcement ...