National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported Fishing NPOA-IUU (2021 – 2025)

REPUBLIC OF GHANA National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported Fishing NPOA-IUU (2021 – 2025) May, 2021 i Table of Contents GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATION................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................................... iii PREFACE ................................................................................................................................................. iv INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 1 PART A: IUU FISHING IN THE GLOBAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT ......................................................... 1 Concept of IUU Fishing ............................................................................................................................ 1 Box 1: Summary Explanation of IUU Fishing……………………………………………………………………………………2 International Concerns about IUU Fishing………………………………………………………………………………………2 International Actions to Combat IUU Fishing………………………………………………………………………………….3 IUU Fishing in the West African Regional Context…………………………………………………………………….......3 PART B: IUU FISHING IN THE GHANAIAN CONTEXT .............................................................................. 3 Snapshot of Ghana’s Marine Fisheries …………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Ghana’s Marine Fishing Industry……………………………………………………………………………………………………5 Significance of the Marine Fisheries Sector to Ghana…………………………………………………………………….7 Ghana’s IUU fishing Challenges……………………………………………………………………………………………………..8 Gaps in Ghana’s Fisheries Law and Management Practice…………………………………………………………….9 PART C: GHANA’S IUU FISHING NATIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS…………………………………………………….10 Actions to Combat IUU Fishing…………………………………………………………………………………………………….11 Timeframe for Implementation of Actions…………………………………………………………………………………..14 Appendix 1: Definition Of IUU Fishing From IPOA-IUU……………………………………………………………….17 Appendix 3 Management Measures agreed under the FCWC Regional Plan of Action aimed at preventing, deterring and eliminating IUU Fishing………………………………………………………………………….18 ii GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATION COFI Committee on Fisheries EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone FAO Food Agricultural Organization of United Nations FCWC Fisheries Committee of the Western and Central Gulf of Guinea GDP Gross Domestic Product ICCAT International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas RFMO Regional Fisheries Management Organization IEZ Inshore Exclusive Zone IPOA International Plan Of Action IUU Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated ISPS International Shipping and Port Facility Security Code MCS Monitoring, Control and Surveillance IUU Illegal Unreported Unregulated IPOA International Plan of Action NPOA National Plan of Action VMS Vessel Monitoring System iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The original NPOA document (2021-2025) was prepared with technical assistance from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations through its Technical Cooperation Programme. Ghana is grateful to FAO for its continuous support for responsible and sustainable fishing practices by Ghana. iv PREFACE Marine fisheries have long been a pillar of Ghana’s coastal economy, contributing significantly to Ghana’s socio-economic development. The fisheries sector generates over US$ 1 billion in revenue each year and accounts for at least 0,9 % of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The fisheries sector also accounts for an estimated 2.8 million people or 10% of the population employed directly or indirectly in the sector. Significantly, fish accounts for 60 per cent of animal protein consumed in Ghana. The long term sustainability of Ghana’s fisheries resources is seriously threatened by incidents of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), which is now universally recognised as one of the most serious threats to the long term sustainability of global fish stocks, with devastating impacts on food security and biodiversity. In 2001, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) took the lead by developing the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing IPOA-IUU). The objective of the IPOA-IUU is to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing by providing all States with comprehensive, effective and transparent measures by which to act, including through appropriate regional fisheries management organizations established in accordance with international law. The IPOA-IUU calls for national and regional efforts to combat IUU fishing. In 2009, Ghana and neighbouring countries in the Fisheries Committee of the Western and Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) developed a Regional Plan of Action on IUU fishing (FCWC-RPOA-IUU), based on the principles and provisions of the IPOA-IUU, and on an analysis of existing actions, efforts and mechanisms at national and regional levels. The FCWC has adopted a revised RPOA in 2018. Against a backdrop of its extreme dependence on fisheries resources for food security, nutrition, employment generation and export earnings, Ghana is committed to global efforts to combat IUU fishing through a number of measures outlined in this document. Ghana also recognises the importance of regional cooperation in combating IUU fishing and commits to active collaboration with its neighbours in the Gulf of Guinea region to develop appropriate bilateral and regional mechanisms to combat IUU fishing in all its forms. The revised NPOA-IUU (2021 – 2025) document therefore takes into account the progress made and new challenges since 2014 when the original document was adopted for implementation. Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson (MP) Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Republic of Ghana 1 INTRODUCTION The purpose of the National Plan of Action is to specify Ghana’s plans to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Ghana’s National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA-IUU) has been developed in accordance with the principles and provisions of the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU fishing (IPOA-IUU) and the IUU Regional Plan of Action developed by the Fisheries Committee of the Western and Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC-RPOA-IUU). Ghana’s NPOA-IUU elaborates and recommends solutions to Ghana’s IUU fishing concerns. The document is presented in three parts.  Part A provides the international and global context of IUU fishing concerns and responses.  Part B provides a summary of Ghana’s fisheries profile and the specific IUU fishing concerns of Ghana.  Part C outlines the range of response actions Ghana will undertake to meet its international and regional obligations to combat IUU fishing. PART A: IUU FISHING IN THE GLOBAL AND REGIONAL CONTEXT Concept of IUU Fishing The term “IUU fishing” has three but interrelated components namely:  illegal fishing  unreported fishing and  unregulated fishing. The full definition of IUU fishing from the IPOA-IUU is reproduced in Appendix 1. A summary explanation of IUU fishing is provided in Box 1 below. Box 1: Summary Explanation of IUU Fishing Illegal fishing takes place where vessels operate in violation of the laws of a fishery. This can apply to fisheries that are under the jurisdiction of a coastal state or to high seas fisheries regulated by regional organizations. Unreported fishing is fishing that has been unreported or misreported to the relevant national authority or regional organization, in contravention of applicable laws and regulations. Unregulated fishing generally refers to fishing by vessels without nationality, or vessels flying the flag of a country not party to the regional organization governing that fishing area or species. 2 International Concerns about IUU Fishing During the past few decades, the international community has become increasingly aware of the growing number of unlawful and irresponsible fishing activities within national jurisdictions and on the high seas; activities collectively characterised as IUU fishing. Globally, it is estimated that IUU fishing accounts for almost one third of the total catch in some important fisheries. The economic cost of IUU fishing has been estimated at over 10 billion US dollars annually. IUU fishing has been identified by the international community as one of the most severe problems affecting world fisheries and the main obstacle in achieving sustainable fisheries globally. The major impacts of IUU fishing include loss of marine biodiversity and habitats, reduction in food security and economic loss to coastal States. IUU fishing has also been associated with organised transnational maritime crime such as people smuggling, marine wild-life tracking, drug trafficking and weapons trafficking in some parts of the world. These consequences of IUU fishing suggest that the problem of IUU fishing has to be tackled in a comprehensive way at national, regional and international levels. International Actions to Combat IUU Fishing Global concerns about continuing IUU fishing and its devastating impacts on the sustainability of fisheries resources have resulted in concerted international action through the IPOA-IUU which was adopted by consensus at the Twenty-fourth Session of COFI on 2 March 2001 and endorsed by the Hundred and Twentieth Session of the FAO Council on 23 June 2001. The IPOA-IUU is a “voluntary and non-legally binding instrument”. However, it draws on core principles from other international legally binding instruments and consensus fisheries instruments for promoting responsible fishing practices (see Box 2 below). A summary of these international instruments is provided in Appendix 2. Box 2 Relevant International Instruments for Combating IUU Fishing  United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1882 (UNCLOS).  Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas (1994).  Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December (1982) Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (1995) (UN Fish Stocks Agreement).  Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (2009) (FAO Port State Measures Agreement); 3  The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (1995).  The International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity (IPOA Capacity)  The International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries  The International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks The IPOA-IUU is a comprehensive “toolbox”, which has a full range of measures that can be used to deal with various manifestations of IUU fishing. These measures, which cut across the responsibilities of all States, flag States, coastal States, port States, and market States, include the implementation of international instruments, application of sanctions of sufficient severity, control over nationals, elimination of economic incentives for vessels engaged in IUU fishing, effective monitoring, control, and surveillance, cooperation between States, measures against vessels without nationality and vessels flying the flags of non-cooperating States to RFMOs. IUU Fishing in the West African Regional Context IUU fishing is of particular concern in the Gulf of Guinea regional context. With shared fish stocks across maritime boundaries and inadequate fisheries monitoring and management systems in most countries, incentives exist for IUU fishing that are difficult to remove. As such, countries in the region have come to realise that a regional approach is essential in order to constrain the geographical scope of IUU fishing and to enable successful arrest and prosecution. In 2009, Ghana and neighbouring countries in the Fisheries Committee of the Western and Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) developed a Regional Plan of Action on IUU fishing, based on the principles and provisions of the IPOA-IUU. The regional plan identifies 72 specific measures considered necessary for member countries to be implemented regionally and individually (see Appendix 3). The RPOA was revised in 2018. The FCWC has formed the West African Task Force which enables the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Divisions in the six countries to cooperate in information sharing and joint actions in combating IUU. The FCWC has also adopted in 2017 a strategy to combat illegal transhipment at sea. PART B: IUU FISHING IN THE GHANAIAN CONTEXT Snapshot of Ghana’s Marine Fisheries Marine fisheries have long been a pillar of Ghana’s coastal economy. They are also a primary source of livelihood for more than 200 coastal fishing villages and at the major port cities of Tema and Sekondi-Takoradi. The protein provided by fish has for centuries been essential to the Ghanaian 4 diet. Fish continues to provide up to two thirds of the animal protein consumed today. Ghana has a coastline of about 550km and a maritime domain, including the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone of around 220 000 km2. The productivity of Ghana’s marine fisheries is driven by a coastal upwelling system, when cold waters rich in nutrients are brought to the surface and stimulate the ecosystem. There are two upwelling seasons in Ghana; a major upwelling season from July through September, and a minor upwelling season, from late December to early February. These are also the high seasons for fishing. The fish resources of the Western Gulf of Guinea include small pelagic species (sardinellas, anchovy, chub mackerel), large pelagic species (tunas, billfish, sharks), coastal demersal species and deep-water demersal species. The sardinellas contribute about 60% of the overall marine catches. The fourth meeting of the FAO/CECAF Working Group on the Assessment of Small Pelagic Fish – Subgroup South (WGASP-S) which was held in Accra, Ghana, from 12-20 September 2018 assessed the status of the Small Pelagic resources in Southwest Africa and advised on future effort and catch levels. Of the 16 stocks analysed: A. Four (25%) were found to be overexploited:  round and flat sardinella (S.aurita and S. maderensis) western stock;  Cunene horse mackerel (Trachurus trecae) northern and southern stock. For these stocks, the recommendation was:  not to increase catch levels above the average of the last five years, this in order to allow the stock to rebuild.  The management recommendation for these stocks shared between Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin were that the catch of S. aurita and S. madernesis was not sustainable and catch would have to be reduced to avoid future depletion of the stock. The Working Group recommended the fishery should be closed. B. Two stocks (12.5%) were found to be fully exploited:  Sardinella spp. southern stock  Decapterus spp. northern stock. For these stocks, as a precautionary measure, the recommendation was that the:  catch level should not exceed the average catch of the last five years. 5 C. Four stocks, were considered not fully exploited:  Sardinella spp. northern stock;  fimbriata southern stock; and  Engraulis encrasicolus central and southern stocks The Working Group recommended that:  the catch level should not exceed the average catches of the five last years. D. Two of the stocks, the data did not provide reliable results, and for four stocks the data available were not sufficient to apply any assessment model. For these stocks, as a precautionary measure, the Working Group recommended that the catch level should not exceed the average of the last five or three years or, in some cases, the previous year’s (2016) catch. Very few data were provided to the Working Group this year, leading to weak assessments for the stocks.1 Ghana also has important inland fishery resources comprising the Volta Lake, other rivers and brackish water. Ghana’s Marine Fishing Industry Ghana’s marine fisheries capture sector consists of three main types of fishing fleets:  artisanal canoes (mainly but not all motorized),  semi-industrial boats (wooden-planked vessels) and  industrial vessels (large-scale trawlers and tuna boats). The artisanal sector comprises about 14,000 canoes and employs 80% of Ghanaian fishers. Although it is typically men out on the boats fishing, women play an important role in artisanal fisheries, being almost solely responsible for preserving the fish by smoking, and for selling the fish in markets. Canoes are allowed to fish throughout Ghanaian waters but logistical constraints and avoidance of conflict with other types of vessel mean that they typically fish in the Inshore Exclusive Zone (IEZ), less than 30 m depth and 6 nautical miles from the shore. However, some canoes can be up to 19metre in length with up to 25 crew, and these vessels are able to fish further offshore. Because of their large capacity, a registration system for these canoes has been in development since 2016. Further to the registration system which is computer based, a canoe card identification system was launched in December 2019 whose purpose is to ensure that a moratorium could be placed on the canoe 1 http://www.fao.org/3/ca5402b/ca5402b.pdf 6 fleet by December 2020, and distribution of fisheries subsidies such as premix fuel and outboard engines could be controlled. Semi-industrial inshore vessels are multipurpose and can be used for both purse seining and bottom trawling. There are two size-classes of inshore vessels;  small (8–10 m) inshore vessels, which are mostly purse seiners and fish within IEZ, and  large (10–37m) inshore vessels, which are mostly trawlers and are prohibited from fishing within the IEZ. The larger vessels operate as purse seiners during upwelling periods and switch to trawling for the rest of the year. Inshore purse seiners have about 20 25 crew and inshore trawlers have about 7 crew. The majority of trawl fishing occurs within 50 nautical miles of the coast. There has been a reduction in the number of semi-industrial vessels over the past few years due to lack of facilities for repair works. The industrial fleet can be subdivided into the tuna purse seine fleet and the industrial trawler fleet. There are currently 74 trawlers following efforts under WARFP and demands from the National Marine Fisheries Management Plan (2015-2019) for a reduction. All industrial vessels, including trawlers have been installed with vessel monitoring system (VMS) since 2014, and currently, have observers deployed on them. The tuna fishing fleet is comprised of pole-and-line bait-boats and tuna purse seiners. Pole-and-line bait-boats are the main exploiters of tuna in Ghanaian waters, using anchovies and young sardinellas as bait. The fishing grounds extend beyond Ghana’s EEZ into the high seas. Bait-boats are constrained by having to come close inshore to catch bait. Tuna fishing occurs all year round with the peak season between November and January. The tuna industry is the only sector of the Ghanaian fishing industry where foreigners are permitted to go into joint-venture with Ghanaian nationals, who must retain at least 25% of the interest in the business. Joint-venture companies are permitted to export up to 80-90% of their landings. Tuna catch since 2002 has been fairly stable at about 65,000 metric tonnes. The tuna purse seiners have been installed with Electronic Monitoring System (EMS), under the pilot Area Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)-Tuna Project (2015-2018), whereby six video cameras positioned at various vantage points on deck record fishing activities and the data analysed after the trip. 7 Significance of the Marine Fisheries Sector to Ghana The fisheries sector contributes significantly to Ghana’s socio-economic development as demonstrated in box 3 below. Box 3: Significance of Ghana’s marine fisheries sector  It generates over US$ 1 billion in revenue each year and accounts for at least 0.9% of Ghana’s GDP (GSS).  It accounts for an estimated 2.8 million people or 10% of the population employed directly or indirectly in the sector.  More than 60 percent of the animal protein in the Ghanaian diet comes from fish, and purchasing fish accounts for over one-quarter of expenditures among poor households Scientific evidence has repeatedly pointed to the fact that Ghana’s marine fisheries are in crisis, with landings of fish caught and retained of all stocks declining dramatically over the last decade. The Scientific and Technical Working Group (STWG) of the USAID Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP) had in early 2018 reported that due to the low biomass and high fishing mortality, the semi-pelagic fish stocks faced imminent collapse by 2020. This has resulted in Ghana becoming a net importer of 40 percent of the fish needed to feed its people. It is evident that Ghana’s challenges in sourcing high-quality, low-cost food protein will be exacerbated by population growth. The identified causes of the decline in Ghana’s fisheries production are summarised in box 4 below. Box 4: Causes of Decline in Ghana’s Marine Fisheries  Inadequate Fisheries Governance framework  Excessive fishing pressure  Overcapacity in the fisheries  Weak compliance with fisheries controls Ghana’s IUU fishing Challenges Ghana is not immune from IUU fishing, either as a source State or as victim State. There is evidence of non-compliance by Ghanaian fishing vessels with existing fisheries laws and regulations within Ghana’s fishery waters and unlicensed fishing by Ghanaian flagged vessels in the EEZs of neighbouring States. International concerns about IUU fishing by Ghanaian-flagged vessels have already resulted in the pre-identification of Ghana as non-cooperative in the fight against IUU and the imposition of a yellow card pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. Following the imposition of the yellow card by the European Union in 8 2013 and prior to its removal in 2015, Ghana has put in place several measures based on the 2014 NPOA and the MFMP. (2015-2019). A general awareness on IUU has been created with industrial fishers showing greater compliance with the fisheries laws. Ghana’s fishing industry is characterized by change and innovation with respect to fishing vessels, fishing methods, fishing gears and fishing grounds. It is challenging for fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance mechanisms to keep up with these changes, especially for the many vessels comprising the canoe fleets. Nonetheless, a national response to IUU fishing is an important task that must be undertaken and strengthened to ensure that the benefits of the fisheries are secured for the future. Gaps in Ghana’s Fisheries Law and Management Practice A number of gaps currently exist in Ghana’s fisheries legislation and management practice which require improvement to enable Ghana to adequately combat IUU fishing. These gaps are summarised below under three headings:  legislative;  fisheries management; and  monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS). Legislative Gaps The current fisheries legislation has existed for nearly two decades and is currently under review to bring it to terms with current situations. In response to some of the actions in the 2014 NPOA, the (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 880) and the (Amendment) Regulation, 2015 (L.I.2217) were promulgated to strengthen Ghana's capacity in tackling IUU. The key gaps in the Fisheries Act and Regulations which require improvement are listed in box 5 below. Box 5: Gaps in Ghana’s Fisheries Legislation 1. Inadequate provisions on administrative sanctions for fisheries offences, giving rise to protracted cases in court for IUU fishing offences; 2. Insufficient prosecution and judicial capacity to support fisheries law enforcement 3. Inadequate legislation for satellite vessel monitoring, including Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), Automatic Identification System (AIS), Radar, Electronic Monitoring System (EMS). 4. Inadequate legislation regarding participation by foreigners in the trawl sector. 5. Inadequate legislation regarding the landings of trawlers 9 Fisheries Management Gaps A number of improvements are required in Ghana’s fisheries management practice to effectively combat IUU fishing. The key gaps which require attention are presented in Box 6 below. Box 6: Fisheries Management Gaps  Weak implementation of international obligations  Weak data collection and analysis  Inadequate framework to manage overcapacity  Ineffective framework for inter-agency cooperation  Lack of Administrative procedures to implement the Fisheries Act  Lack of comprehensive staff capacity Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Gaps (MCS) At the heart of combating IUU fishing is developing and implementing effective MCS measures. Ghana’s MCS framework requires improvement in a number of ways, outlined in box 7. Box 7 Ghana’s MCS Gaps  Inadequate funding for MCS activities  Inadequate electronic monitoring system coverage for all fishing vessels, and canoes  Inadequate Port State measures  Low MCS skills  Low MCS staff spread across the country  Inadequate investigations and follow up to alerts on suspicious fishing activities by Ghanaian-flagged vessels and by foreign vessels in Ghanaian waters. 10 PART C: GHANA’S IUU FISHING NATIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS The IPOA-IUU requires that States develop and implement National Plans of Action to give full effect to its provisions as an integral part of their fisheries management programmes and budgets. The objective of this part is to lay out a plan of remedial action to address the gaps identified in Part B of this document. In doing so, Ghana’s NPOA-IUU will be responding to the IPOA-IUU and the FCWC–RPOA-IUU. The IPOA-IUU divides its actions into 8 categories as follows: 1. All State Responsibilities  Ratification and implementation of international obligations, including FAO Voluntary Instruments  Development of national legislation to effectively address all aspects of IUU fishing, including evidentiary and admissibility of evidence and new technologies  State control over nationals  Vessels without nationality  Severe sanctions to deter IUU fishing  Dealing with non-cooperating states  Use of economic incentives  Effective monitoring, control and surveillance measures  Development of National Plans of Action  Cooperation between and among States  Publicise full details of IUU fishing and actions taken to eliminate it  Make available technical capacity and resources needed to implement the IPOA. 2. Flag State Responsibilities  Fishing Vessel Registration  Record of Fishing Vessels  Authorization to Fish 3. Coastal State Measures 4. Port State Measures 5. Market-related measures 6. Research 7. Regional Fisheries Management Organizations 8. Special requirements of developing countries Following this format, Ghana’s NPOA-IUU now specifies the relevant actions to be taken in order to address the gaps identified in Ghana’s fisheries legal and administrative framework. An implementation schedule is also provided to enable progress to be assessed. 11 ACTIONS TO COMBAT IUU FISHING All State Responsibilities Action 1: Give legal effect in Ghana to international fisheries agreements to which Ghana is party:  Implement UN Fish Stocks Agreement  Implement FAO Port State Measures Agreement following the National Strategy and Work plan developed in 2018  Implement FCWC’s Strategy to Combat Illegal Transhipment (2017) Action 2: Strengthen the regulatory framework for operational fisheries management in Ghana:  Review the Fisheries legislation  Strengthen VMS legislation so all fishing fleets, including semi-industrial and canoes use VMS or AIS as a licensing condition, including foreign vessels in Ghana’s EEZ and Ghana-flagged vessels outside the EEZ Action 3: Effectively control activities associated with IUU fishing:  Strengthen the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU)  Ensure sustainable funding and equipping of FEU  Establish new FEU posts in other parts of the country (Elmina, Yeji, Kpando Torkor and Buipe)  Coordinate fisheries enforcement tasking with Ghana Navy and Marine Police through development of policy and guidelines on the establishment and operations of the FEU  Review the National Inspection Plan (2015-16) Action 4: Identify and monitor IUU vessels and share information with neighbouring states Action 5: Identify and quantify illegal catches Action 6: Contribute to improved global information on IUU fishing vessels Action 7: Communicate with fishing communities, fisheries officers and others about IUU fishing Flag State Responsibilities Action 8: Exercise flag state responsibility by implementing the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Flag State Performance  Revise legislation to include provisions on licensing, data collection, and control of operations by the Ghana Fisheries Commission. The (Amendment) Regulation 2015 (L.I. 2217) has provisions regarding registration and licensing, and authorisation to fish.  Require IUU assessment against clearly defined criteria before vessels are accepted for registration, to ensure that vessels with a history of IUU fishing are not reflagged to Ghana  Require evidence of license to fish in other countries, including any 12 associated conditions, and require registration of this license with the Ghana Fisheries Commission  Revise legislation to strengthen control of nationals:  Introduce administrative sanctions with severe penalties, instead of prosecution  Make provisions for the deregistration of Ghana-flagged vessels that are discovered to have a history of IUU fishing  Make provisions for cancelation of existing license or acquisition of new license when IUU fishing violation are committed Action 9: Enforce relevant fisheries regulations for Ghana-flagged vessels on the high seas and in the jurisdiction of other States Coastal State Measures Action 10: Improve management of all marine fisheries sectors, consistent with FAO Code of Conduct on Sustainable Fisheries; eliminate overfishing; minimise risk of irreversible damage to ecosystems, and the National Marine Management Plan (2020-24)  Review National Marine Management Plan 2015-2019  Implement Marine Protected Areas Policy  Implement Co-Management Policy  Development of MFMP for the period 2021-2025 Port State Measures Action 11: Incorporate FAO Port State Measures Agreement and ICCAT Recommendation 14-08, 18-09 into the review of domestic legislation and enforcement action  Implement the National Strategy and Action Plan for the implementation of the 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and complementary international instruments and mechanisms developed in June 2018 Market-Related Measures Action 12: Ensure that IUU fisheries products are not imported into Ghana or exported from Ghana  Implement provisions in LI 2217 covering market-related measures.  Strengthen mandatory fish exports certification, and enhanced port inspections regarding fish importation and reporting. Research Action 13: Enhanced systems for fisheries monitoring, data collection (catch, effort, socio-economic data, ecosystem impacts), digitisation and analysis; collaborate within ICCAT for assessment of shared stocks, and with other agencies, universities and development partners for related research. 13 Regional Fisheries Management Action 14: Participate fully in ICCAT, including domestic implementation of ICCAT Recommendations and cooperation with other ICCAT Contracting Parties:  Establish process for integrating ICCAT Recommendations into domestic management  Review legislation against all ICCAT Recommendations and amend accordingly  Legislation to implement ICCAT Recommendation 16-15 on transhipment prohibition at sea  Develop Management Plans for implementing ICCAT Recommendations  Review National Observer Programme against ICCAT Requirements to ensure compliance Action 15: Collaborate within FCWC on Regional responses to ongoing and emerging IUU issues in line with the Regional Plan of Action to combat IUU Action 16: Further develop the Regional framework for cooperation, especially in relation to IUU fishing, by establishing clear lines of communication and coordinating actions with other states Special Requirements Action 17: Collaborate with development partners to improve fisheries management in Ghana and the wider Gulf of Guinea, especially regarding monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement Action 18: Capacity building for officials in fisheries management, including training in fisheries law, monitoring, control and surveillance, fisheries science, and international trade. Action 19: Collaboration with development partners for infrastructure development and international sourcing of relevant technical expertise Reporting Action 20: Improve reporting of management performance in terms of effectiveness of regulations, degree of compliance, biological status of fish stocks and bio-/socio economic status of fisheries.  Conduct awareness raising campaigns with stakeholders including media in line with RPOA-IUU / NPOA-IUU  Publish IUU information on MOFAD / FC website 14 Timeframe for Implementation of Actions Action 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 1 Give legal effect in Ghana to international fisheries agreements to which Ghana is party x x 2 Strengthen the regulatory framework for operational fisheries management in Ghana x x 3 Effectively control activities associated with IUU fishing x x x x x 4 Identify and monitor IUU vessels and share information with neighbouring states x x x x x 5 Identify and quantify illegal catches x x x x x 6 Contribute to improved global information on IUU fishing vessels x x x x x 7 Communicate with fishing communities, fisheries officers and others to create adequate awareness about IUU fishing x x x x x 8 Exercise flag state responsibility by implementing the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Flag State Performance x x x x x 9 Enforce relevant fisheries regulations for Ghana flagged vessels on the high seas and in the jurisdiction of other States x x x x x 10 Improve management of all marine fisheries sectors, consistent with FAO Code of Conduct on Sustainable Fisheries; eliminate overfishing; minimise risk of irreversible damage to ecosystems x x x x x 11 Implement FAO Port State x x x x x 15 Measures Agreement and ICCAT Recommendation 14 08 and 18-09 12 Ensure that IUU fisheries products are not imported into Ghana or exported from Ghana x x x x x 13 Enhanced systems for fisheries monitoring, data collection (catch, effort, socio economic data, ecosystem impacts), digitisation and analysis; collaborate within ICCAT for assessment of shared stocks, and with other agencies, universities and development partners for related research. x x x x x 14 Participate fully in ICCAT, including domestic implementation of ICCAT Recommendations and cooperation with other ICCAT Contracting Parties: x x x x x 15 Collaborate within FCWC on regional responses to ongoing and emerging IUU issues x x x x x 16 Further develop the regional framework for cooperation, especially in relation to IUU fishing, by establishing clear lines of communication and coordinating actions with other States x x 17 Collaborate with development partners to improve fisheries management in Ghana and the wider Gulf of Guinea, especially regarding monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement x x x x x 18 Capacity building for officials x x x x x 16 in fisheries management, including training in fisheries law, monitoring, control and surveillance, fisheries science, and international trade. 19 Collaboration with development partners for infrastructure development and international sourcing of relevant technical expertise x x x x x 20 Improve reporting of management performance in terms of effectiveness of regulations, degree of compliance, biological status of fish stocks and bio-/socio economic status of fisheries. x x x x X 21 Take steps to ratify Work in Fishing Convention (C188) x x x 22 Develop agreements (Memorandum of Understanding) with relevant Governmental Agencies, e.g. Ghana Navy, Marine Police and Attorney General’s Department (to spell out roles and budgets and logistics for operations) x x 23 Develop administrative procedures to implement fisheries legislation x x 17 Appendix 1: DEFINITION OF IUU FISHING FROM IPOA-IUU 3.1 Illegal fishing refers to activities: 3.1.1 conducted by national or foreign vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of a State, without the permission of that State, or in contravention of its laws and regulations; 3.1.2 conducted by vessels flying the flag of States that are parties to a relevant regional fisheries management organization but operate in contravention of the conservation and management measures adopted by that organization and by which the States are bound, or relevant provisions of the applicable international law; or 3.1.3 in violation of national laws or international obligations, including those undertaken by cooperating States to a relevant regional fisheries management organization. 3.2 Unreported fishing refers to fishing activities: 3.2.1 which have not been reported, or have been misreported, to the relevant national authority, in contravention of national laws and regulations; or 3.2.2 undertaken in the area of competence of a relevant regional fisheries management organization which have not been reported or have been misreported, in contravention of the reporting procedures of that organization. 3.3 Unregulated fishing refers to fishing activities: 3.3.1 in the area of application of a relevant regional fisheries management organization that are conducted by vessels without nationality, or by those flying the flag of a State not party to that organization, or by a fishing entity, in a manner that is not consistent with or contravenes the conservation and management measures of that organization; or 3.3.2 in areas or for fish stocks in relation to which there are no applicable conservation or management measures and where such fishing activities are conducted in a manner inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law. 18 Appendix 2 Summary of Relevant International Instruments supporting the IPOA IUU United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) UNCLOS provides the basic legal framework that regulates all marine sector activities, including the utilisation of the resources of the sea, the preservation of the marine environment and relations among States in so far as marine sector activities are concerned. The most important aspects of UNCLOS with regard to fisheries relate to the establishment of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), requirements for conservation and management measures for fish stocks in the EEZ, requirements for cooperation among States to manage fish stocks and provisions on the conservation, management and utilisation of high seas fisheries such as the implementation of flag State duties, as well as the duty to cooperate among States to manage high seas fisheries. UNCLOS establishes varying degrees of rights and duties of States with respect to the conservation and management of fisheries resources in accordance with the maritime zone where such resources are located. UNCLOS provides for the determination of the allowable catch and the establishment of conservation measures on the basis of best scientific evidence available which maintains or restores populations of harvested species at levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield, as qualified by relevant environmental and economic factors. This determination should take into account the special requirements of developing States, fishing patterns and generally recommended international minimum standards. FAO Compliance Agreement The Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas (FAO Compliance Agreement) was unanimously approved, subject to acceptance, at the 27th Session of the Conference of the FAO in November 1993 and entered into force on 24 April 2003. The FAO Compliance Agreement was developed in order to address concerns over the practice of reflagging of fishing vessels in order to avoid high seas conservation and management measures determined by regional fisheries organizations. The Compliance Agreement strengthens the duties of flag States by improving the regulation of fishing vessels on the high seas. This is done through the obligation of parties to maintain an authorisation and recording system for high seas fishing vessels and to ensure that vessels 19 registered under their flags do not undermine international conservation and management measures. The Compliance Agreement applies to vessels used or intended for fishing on the high seas. However, a party may exempt fishing vessels less than 24 metres in length, unless the exemption undermines the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures. The Agreement requires a State Party to maintain a record of fishing vessels entitled to fly its flag and authorized for use on the high seas, and to take such measures as are necessary to ensure that all such vessels are entered on that record. It also provides for international cooperation, specifically exchange of information, port state cooperation, and for parties to enter into cooperative agreements or arrangements of mutual assistance on a global, regional, subregional or bilateral basis in order to achieve the objectives of the Agreement. UN Fish Stocks Agreement The Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UN Fish Stocks Agreement) was adopted on 4 August 1995 by the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks and entered into force on 11 November 2001. The UN Fish Stocks Agreement seeks to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks by strengthening the legal framework for their conservation and management through global, regional and sub regional fisheries management organisations. The Agreement provides that conservation and management of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks must be based on the precautionary approach and the best available scientific information. Further, the measures in areas under national jurisdiction and in the adjacent high seas must be compatible. It recognises the special requirements of developing States, and there are effective mechanisms for compliance and enforcement of those measures on the high seas. FAO Port State Measures Agreement The Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (Port State Measures Agreement) was approved by the FAO Conference at its Thirty-sixth Session on 22 November 2009. The objective of the Agreement is to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU 20 fishing through the implementation of effective port State measures, and thereby to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems. The Port State Measures Agreement respects the sovereignty of Parties over their internal, archipelagic and territorial waters or their sovereign rights over their continental shelf and in their EEZs and allows Parties the exercise of their sovereignty over ports in their territory in accordance with international law, including their right to deny entry thereto as well as to adopt more stringent port State measures than those provided for in the Agreement. FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries was initiated in 1991 by the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) and unanimously adopted on 31 October 1995. While the Code is voluntary in nature, parts of it were based on relevant rules of international law, including those in UNCLOS, FAO Compliance Agreement, and the UN Fish Stocks Agreement. It is global in scope, and is directed toward both members and non-members of FAO, fishing entities, sub regional, regional and global organizations, whether governmental or non-governmental, and all persons concerned with the conservation of fishery resources and management and development of fisheries, such as fishers, those engaged in processing and marketing of fish and fishery products and other users of the aquatic environment in relation to fisheries. The Code provides principles and standards applicable to the conservation, management and development of all fisheries. It also covers the capture, processing and trade of fish and fishery products, fishing operations, aquaculture, fisheries research and the integration of fisheries into coastal area management. Within the framework of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries four international plans of action (IPOAs) have been developed to date. The International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity The International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity (IPOA Capacity) addresses the issue of excess fishing capacity in world fisheries as a problem that contributes substantially to IUU fishing, overfishing, the degradation of marine fisheries resources, the decline of food production potential, and significant economic waste. The objective of the IPOA-Capacity is for States and regional fisheries organizations, to achieve an efficient, equitable and transparent management of fishing capacity. In order to achieve this end, the 21 IPOA-Capacity encourages States and regional fisheries organizations with an overcapacity problem to endeavour initially to limit at present level and progressively reduce the fishing capacity applied to affected fisheries. The above objective may be achieved through a series of actions related to four major strategies:  the conduct of national, regional and global assessments of capacity and improvement of the capability for monitoring fishing capacity;  the preparation and implementation of national plans to effectively manage fishing capacity and of immediate actions for coastal fisheries requiring urgent measures;  the strengthening of regional fisheries organizations and related mechanisms for improved management of fishing capacity at regional and global levels; and  immediate actions for major transboundary, straddling, highly migratory and high seas fisheries requiring urgent measures. The International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries The International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA-Seabirds) arose out of concerns over the impacts of the incidental catch of seabirds in various commercial longline fisheries in the world. The objective of the IPOA-Seabirds is to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries where this occurs. Thus, the IPOA- Seabirds applies to States in the waters of which longline fisheries are being conducted by their own or foreign vessels and to States that conduct longline fisheries on the high seas and in the EEZ of other States. The IPOA-Seabirds provides that States implementing the IPOA should carry out a set of activities in conjunction with relevant international organizations based on an assessment of the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries. The States with longline fisheries should conduct an assessment of these fisheries to determine if a problem exists with respect to incidental catch of seabirds and adopt a National Plan of Action (NPOA) for reducing the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries, if such a problem exists. On the other hand, States which determine that an NPOA is not necessary should review that decision on a regular basis, particularly taking into account 22 changes in their fisheries, such as the expansion of existing fisheries and/or the development of new longline fisheries. The IPOA-Seabirds encourages States to cooperate through regional and sub regional fisheries organizations or arrangements, and other forms of cooperation, to reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries, including through bilateral and multilateral arrangements in research, training and the production of information and promotional material. The International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks The International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) arose out of concerns over the increase of shark catches and its consequences for the populations of some shark species in several areas of the world’s oceans. The objective of the IPOA-Sharks is to ensure the conservation and management of sharks and their long-term sustainable use. The IPOA-Sharks encompasses both target and non-target catches and defines a shark as including all species of sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras (Class Chondrichthyes), and the term “shark catch” is taken to include directed, bycatch, commercial, recreational and other forms of taking sharks. The IPOA-Sharks applies to States in the waters of which sharks are caught by their own or foreign vessels and to States the vessels of which catch sharks on the high seas. The IPOA-Sharks provides that States should adopt a national plan of action (Shark Plan) taking into account the experience of sub regional and regional fisheries management organizations for the conservation and management of shark stocks if their vessels conduct directed fisheries for sharks or if their vessels regularly catch sharks in non-directed fisheries. The IPOA-Sharks provides that States should carry out a regular assessment of the status of shark stocks subject to fishing so as to determine if there is a need for development of a shark plan. It provides that States which implement the Shark-plan should regularly assess its implementation at least every four years for the purpose of identifying cost-effective strategies for increasing its effectiveness; while States which determine that a Shark-plan is not necessary should review that decision on a regular basis taking into account changes in their fisheries, but as a minimum, data on catches, landings and trade should be collected. 23 IPOA-IUU The International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU) was adopted by consensus at the Twenty-fourth Session of COFI on 2 March 2001 and endorsed by the Hundred and Twentieth Session of the FAO Council on 23 June 2001. The objective of the IPOA-IUU is to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing by providing all States with comprehensive, effective and transparent measures by which to act, including through appropriate regional fisheries management organizations established in accordance with international law. Appendix 3 Management Measures agreed under the FCWC Regional Plan of Action aimed at preventing, deterring and eliminating IUU Fishing 1 OBJECTIVE OF THE REGIONAL PLAN The Regional Plan of Action is based on the principles and provisions governing the IPOA-IUU, and on a relatively objective analysis of existing actions, efforts and mechanisms both at national and regional levels in the zone of the countries of the Fisheries Committee for the Gulf of Guinea. The original RPOA which was adopted in 2009 was reviewed in 2018 after an implementation assessment was conducted by FCWC in 2017. The revised RPOA-IUU identified 56 measures to be implemented under the following broad areas: I. Ratification of international instruments; II. Completion, adoption and harmonization of national laws; III. Measures relating to ships without nationality and non-cooperating States; IV. Development of the monitoring, control and surveillance system at national and regional levels; and V. Cooperation between the FCWC and other States and regional fisheries organizations; vi) Registration and register of fishing vessels and artisanal canoes; VI. Issuance of licenses to artisanal canoes and industrial fishing vessels; VII. Port State Control; ix) International trade in products from Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing; and VIII. Cooperation within Regional Fisheries Management Organizations. 24 In addition, the plan identifies the following priority actions/measures: Development and adoption of NPOA-IUU; I. Ratification/ Accession/Signing of International Instruments, FCWC Conventions, AU Agreements and RFMO/RFO (ICCAT/ATLAFCO) Conventions; II. Strengthening and Improvement of MCS system; III. Awareness creation for and participation of Professional Associations and NGOs; IV. Harmonization of deterrent sanctions; V. Access Control; VI. Strengthening of research and dissemination of research findings; VII. Port control measures; VIII. Export control measures and IX. Appointment of Focal Persons for implementation of RPOA-IUU. 3.2 Measures of The Regional Plan of Action The following are the breakdown of measures for the revised regional plan: 3.2.1 All States Responsibilities 3.2.1.1. National Plan of Action Measure 1: All member States should develop and adopt a National Plan of Action to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing based on the RPOA-IUU and IPOA-IUU. 3.2.1.2 International Instruments Measure 2: All member States should ratify or accede to the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing of 2009, the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement of 1995 and that of the FAO Compliance Agreement of1993; Measure 3: All member States should amend or update their national laws and regulations to include the relevant standards and principles of aforementioned international instruments and ensure their implementation; 3.2.1.3. National Laws Measure 4: All member States should either amend or enact new laws or regulations to make provisions for the following: I. installation of transponders of vessel monitoring system on national industrial vessels or foreign vessels under access arrangement as a condition of issuance of fishing licence or authorization; 25 II. use of electronic data from VMS transmission as evidence of offence; III. deterrent sanctions against vessels engage in IUU fishing; and IV. deterrent sanctions against owners, operators, captains and crew of vessels engage in IUU fishing. Measure 5: All member States should make provision in their respective laws and regulations the exercise of the right of pursuit of IUU vessels in their waters. Measure 6: All member States should make regulations to address port measures relating to: I. designated ports; II. designated port inspectors; III. establishment of procedures for port inspections; IV. requirements of fishing vessels before allowing access to port; V. authorization of cooperation and exchange of information including inspection results with other States and regional fisheries management organization; and VI. a system of appeal against decision of resulting from inspection. 3.2.1.4. Control of The State Over Their Nationals Measure 7: All member States should include in their national legislation specific provisions to help control and monitor and to prosecute when necessary, the nationals and (persons and vessels) operating in other zones beyond their jurisdictions if it turns out that these persons or vessels have committed illegal fishing acts including the use of flags of convenience 3.2.1.5. Awareness Creation Measure 8: All member States should undertake awareness programme on the negative impact of IUU fishing on their socio-economic development and ecological impact. 3.2.1.6. Contracting Party to Regional Fisheries Management Organization Measure 9: All member States should be Contracting Party to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)Convention and ensure compliance with the ICCAT measures including the non-issuance of licences to non-member countries and the refusal to market tuna products from vessels of non-member countries 26 3.2.1.7. Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Measure 10: All States should establish and strengthen MCS by recruiting adequate personnel and procuring equipment and logistics for MCS activities. Measure 11: Develop MCS Operational Manual for use by all institutions involved in MCS activities. Measure 12: All member States should implement a VMS and AIS systems and the systems should be harmonized by the FCWC Secretariat Measure 13: All member States should ensure that all their national flagged vessels and foreign vessels under access arrangement are fitted with transponders and transmit data and information to the National Fisheries Control Centres at regular intervals. Measure 14: All member States should undertake at regular periods at sea patrol to implement at sea inspection program Measure 15: All member States should implement an at sea observer program that should cover at least 50% of national vessels and 100% coverage of foreign vessels under access arrangement. In this regard observers should be trained and provided with the logistics for the work. Measure 16: All member States should a appoint a focal person on MCS activities who will prepare and submit to the FCWC Secretariat a summary report of MCS activities every six (6) months 3.2.1.8. Cooperation Among the States Measure 17: All member States should sign or ratify and implement the FCWC Convention on the pooling and sharing of information and data of the area of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea; FCWC Convention on minimum requirements for access to the fishery resources of the area of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea; AU Agreement of harmonized minimum conditions for access to fisheries; AU Regional Fisheries Access Agreement for shared stocks, and any other Conventions and Agreements. 3.2.1.9. Technical Capacity and Resources Measure 18: All member States should recruit adequate human resources and provide adequate budgetary allocations and logistics to strengthen national capabilities in research, fisheries management and marine surveillance and training. 27 3.2.2. Flag States Responsibilities 3.2.2.1 Registration of Industrial Fishing Vessels and Artisanal Canoes Measure 19: All member States should register industrial fishing vessels in accordance with the adopted harmonized procedures and conditions as a pre requisite for issuance of licence or authorization; Measure 20: All member States should register national and migrate artisanal canoes in accordance with the adopted harmonized conditions developed by the FCWC Secretariat as a pre-requisite for issuance of licence. The registration number should be embossed on both sides of the canoe. 3.2.2.2. Register of Industrial Fishing Vessels and Artisanal Canoes Measure 21: All member States should establish a register (web base optional) of industrial vessels and update the register periodically. Measure 22: All member States should establish a register (web base optional) of national and migrate artisanal canoes and update the register periodically. 3.2.3. Responsibility of Coastal States 3.2.3.1 Fishing Licence and Authorization Measure 23: All member States should issue fishing licence or authorizations to industrial vessels to fish in their EEZ or high seas in accordance with the FCWC Convention on minimum requirements for access to fishery resources of the area of the FCWC, FAO Compliance Agreement of 1993 and UN Fish Stocks Agreement of 1995; Measure 24: All member States introduce IMO number as a requirement for issuance of licence and authorization to industrial vessels; Measure 25: All member States should issue fishing licence to artisanal canoes to fish in their EEZ and in accordance FCWC Convention on minimum requirements for access to fishery resources of the area of the FCWC. 3.2.3.2 Register of Fishing Licence and Authorization Measure 26: All member States should establish a register (web base optional) of licences and authorizations for industrial vessels and update the register periodically. The record of licensed vessels should be in accordance with the FAO Global Record of Vessels. Measure 27: All member States should establish a register (web base optional) of licences for artisanal canoes and update the register periodically. 28 Measure 28: All member States should establish a register (web base optional) of licences for migrant artisanal canoes and update the register periodically. 3.2.4. Port States Responsibilities Measure 29: All member States should declare their respective designated ports and appoint designated port inspectors; 3.2.5. International Trade Measure 30: All member States should implement a catch certification scheme to prevent international trade in IUU fish and fishery products; 3.2.6. Fishery and Oceanographic Research Measure 31: All member States should set up and strengthen Research Units to collect the requisite oceanographic and fishery data and information for sustainable management of the fishery resources. Measure 32: All member States should disseminate the research findings to the operators and members of the various fisheries associations; 3.2.7 Regional Management Organisation Measure 33: All member States should regular participate in ATLFCO meetings and implement recommendations of the organization Measure 34: All member States should ratify the ICCAT Convention and participate actively in the meetings of the organization 3.2.8 Reporting and Evaluation of The RPOA-IUU at National Level Measure 35: All member States should appoint a focal person for the implementation of the RPOA-IUU at national level Measure 36: The Focal Person for each member State should prepare quarterly, mid-year and annual report on implementation of the revised RPOA-IUU in their respective countries to the Secretary General of FCWC; 3.3 REGIONAL (FCWC SECRETARIAT) RESPONSIBILITIES 3.3.1 Harmonized Sanctions Measure 37: The FCWC Secretariat should prepare for adoption by all member States a list of infractions that constitute serious violations (including the name and particulars of vessels involved). In preparation of the list, the FCWC Secretariat should be guided by provisions made in paragraph 11 of Article 21 of the United Nations Fish Stock Agreement of 1995. 29 Measure 38: The FCWC Secretariat should harmonize deterrent sanctions against various IUU fishing provided for in the respective national laws and regulations of member States for adoption by member States. At the regional level, a set of deterrent penalties for each offense according to the gravity of the act and likely benefits to be obtained by the offenders shall be prepared. The sanctions shall also apply to vessels of FCWC countries which commit same offences in each other EEZ. Measure 39: The FCWC Secretariat should undertake study to quantify value of IUU fish caught in the respective waters of member States. 3.3.2 Regional MCS Measure 40: The FCWC Secretariat should establish regional VMS and AIS systems that will be harmonized and integrated with the VMS and AIS systems at national centres and other centres at international level to exchange information concerning illegal fishing vessels found in the zone of FCWC Measure 41: The FCWC Secretariat prepare for adoption by all member States regional conventions in favor of regional inspection programs and joint surveillance operations between the countries and mobilize from development partners, the necessary resources to strengthen the capabilities of the countries in this area. Measure 42: The FCWC Secretariat should set up a regional observation programme at sea and at the markets to deter the capture and sale of illegal fishery products. Envisage a training component in this programme to strengthen the capabilities of the observers and upgrade their knowledge with regard to regional approaches; 3.3.3 Regional Awareness Creation Measure 43: The FCWC Secretariat should develop a regional programme of meetings, awareness campaigns and training of socio-professional organizations in order to ensure their involvement in the strategy to combat IUU fishing activities; 3.3.4 Regional Communication Network Measure 44: The FCWC Secretariat to establish and develop a communication network between the countries and the FCWC surveillance and coordination center to share information and provide a monitoring system against IUU fishing practices. In addition, the FCWC Secretariat should establish a dashboard of fisheries information 30 Measure 45: The FCWC Secretariat should publish a magazine every six (6) months that contains an inventory of the list of vessels flying flags of convenience, the vessels having committed serious and very serious offences, the list of illegal fishing vessels considered on the black list that all countries are urged to exclude from all fishing activities in their waters, the list of skippers of countries having committed IUU offences. Measure 46: The FCWC Secretariat should solicit the assistance of development partners for strengthening the capacities of member States to combat illegal fishing: a national and regional centers for communication, computerization of licence registers, and formulation of deterrent and coherent legal and political instruments. 3.3.5 Regional Publicity Measure 47: The FCWC Secretariat to upgrade the web site at regional level and keep it updated with necessary information including laws, regulations, fisheries policies, IUU fishing control plans, and regional conventions and agreements linking the 6 countries including in particular the FCWC conventions; 3.3.6 Regional Technical Capacity Measure 48: The FCWC Secretariat should solicit financial assistance from development partners for funding of regional programmes, especially the procurement of a research vessel which would be at the disposal of the 6 countries for undertaking stock evaluation campaigns; 3.3.7 Harmonized Registration of Industrial Fishing Vessels and Artisanal Canoes Measure 49: The FCWC Secretariat should develop for adoption by all member States a harmonized procedures and conditions for the registration of new industrial fishing vessels to ensure that vessels on IUU list or vessel without nationality are not registered or licensed in the FCWC Region Measure 50: The FCWC Secretariat should develop for adoption by all member States conditions for the registration of national and migrate artisanal canoes; 3.3.7 Regional Register of Fishing Licence and Authorization Measure 51: The FCWC Secretariat should establish a Regional register (web base optional) of licences and authorizations for industrial and update the register periodically. 31 3.3.8. Harmonized Regulations on Port Control Measure 52: The FCWC Secretariat should develop for adoption by All Member States a harmonized regulations relating to the entry, departure and stay, landing and transshipment of vessels in the designated ports; 3.3.9. Harmonized Certification Scheme for International Trade Measure 53: FCWC Secretariat should develop for adoption by member Sates a Catch Certification Scheme in line with EU Catch Certificate Scheme to ensure that illegally caught fish or fishery products from illegally caught fish are not off loaded in the ports of member States; 3.3.10 Reporting and Evaluation of The RPOA-IUU at Regional Level Measure 54: FCWC Secretariat to submit the proposed RPOA-IUU to the 11thFCWC Conference of Ministers for adoption; Measure 55: Secretary General of FCWC should prepare annual report on implementation of the RPOA-IUU to the Ministerial Conference of the FCWC; and Measure 56: A Consultant to be recruited to evaluate the performance and implementation of the revised RPOA-IUU in 2021 32