National Plan of Action of the Republic of Korea to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

As its title suggests, the objective of the present National Plan of Action is to prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing. At the third review of the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU), Korea has attempted to incorporate the lessons learned from the past and to address the concerns expressed by the international communit y. The third revision of the NPOA contains, among others: i) strengthening the level of sanctions against IUU fishers; ii) mandatory installation of VMS on all Korean distant water fishing vessels; iii) enhancing Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) through, inter alia, the port state inspection scheme with broader application and coverage; iv) rebuilding the internal/external governance for the fight against IUU fishing; v) strengthening the cooperation with coastal developing states.
The present Plan is based on the following principles: i) Comprehensive and integrated approach: In taking such an approach, States should embrace measures building on the primary responsibility of the flag State and using all available jurisdictions in accordance with international law, including port State measures, coastal State measures, market-related measures and measures to ensure that nationals do not support or engage in IUU fishing; ii) Participation and coordination: To be fully effective, the NPOA should be implemented either directly, in cooperation with other States, or indirectly through relevant regional fisheries management organizations or through FAO and other appropriate international organizations. An important element in successful implementation will be close and effective coordination and consultation, and the sharing of information to reduce the incidence of IUU fishing, among States and relevant regional and global organizations. The full participation of stakeholders in combating IUU fishing, including industry, fishing communities, and non-governmental organizations, should be encouraged. iii) Phased implementation: Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing should be based on the earliest possible phased implementation of national plans of action, and regional and global action in accordance with the IPOA; iv) Conservation: Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing should be consistent with the conservat ion and long-term sustainable use of fish stocks and the protection of the environment; v) Transparency: The IPOA should be implemented in a transparent manner in accordance with article 6.13 of the Code of Conduct ; vi) Non-discrimination: The IPOA should be developed and applied without discrimination in form or in fact against any State or its fishing vessels.
The text consists of 10 Chapters as follows: Introduction (I); Objectives and Principles (II); Better Governance for the Control over IUU Fishing (III); All State Responsibilities (IV); Flag State Responsibilities (V); Coastal State Measures (VI); Port State Measures (VII); Internationally Agreed Market-related Measures (VIII); Measures to be Implemented through RFMOs (IX); Special Requirements of Developing Countries (IX)