A Memorandum of Understanding between SPRFMO and the Network for the Exchange of Information and Shared Experiences Between Latin American and Caribbean Countries to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing (REDPESCA INDNR ALC, or Network against IUU Fishing of LAC for his name in English) was finalised and signed during the 7th meeting of the SPRFMO Commission. The MoU is particularly relevant considering both organisations share an important number of Membersand their area of application is concurrent.
The agreement focuses mainly on four areas of common interest:
Exchange of meeting reports, information, documents and publications;
Exchange of information on support of: conservation and sustainable use of biological resources; initiatives promoted by both entities to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing; IUU Vessel Lists; summary tables of Port Inspection Reports;
Promote joint actions to strengthen regional and national capacities to fight against IUU fishing;
Grant representatives of the respective entity permanent reciprocal Observer status in relevant Participant meetings.
At the ceremony, the Network Against IUU Fishing of LAC was represented by Mr. Javier Atkins, Vice-Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Peru, and SPRFMO was represented by Dr. Sebastian Rodriguez, Executive Secretary of SPRFMO. The event took place during the morning of the closing session of the seventh SPRFMO annual meeting, at the NH Hotel, The Hague, The Netherlands, on 27 January 2019.
