Maldives National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA-IUU).

This Maldives National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA-IUU) is a sectoral policy document. The NPOA-IUU serves to ensure that the Maldives has acted on the recommendations of the International Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IPOA-IUU) fishing (FAO, 2001), a voluntary international instrument developed by FAO in 2001 in the context of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF). The Policy identifies action points to reduce the negative social, economic, and environmental impacts of IUU fishing in the Maldives, and of Maldivian vessels operating outside of Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Policy contributes to food security and poverty reduction as IUU fishing is a big threat for small-scale fisheries and coastal fishing communities that depend on the resources for their livelihood and gainful employment.
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing at present is the biggest threat to sustainable fisheries. The NPOA-IUU adopts an integrated approach. It addresses general measures targeted at all countries, as well as measures related specifically at coastal States, flag States, and port States. To fight again the IUU fishing and make fisheries more sustainable, actions proposed in the Plan include: Accept FAO Compliance Agreement; Deposit instrument of acceptance with FAO; Provide authorised vessel data to FAO HSVAR in line with Article VI of the Compliance Agreement; Transport Authority to register fishing vessels on the vessel register only after documentation is provided by Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture (MOFMRA) to prove that a background check on vessels has been completed; Review the sanctions proposed in the draft legislation, and if considered necessary propose additional sanctions for inclusion before draft legislation is submitted to parliament; Support the IOTC in any efforts it may make in encouraging relevant states to become Contracting Parties to the IOTC; Install VMS on all vessels over 24m (about 300), and ensure full coverage of all other relevant vessels by the end of 2020; Fully comply with IOTC requirements on observer coverage, whether they be human observers or e-/ camera systems by the end of 2020; MOFMRA to record and formally publicize details of IUU infringements on a quarterly basis; Support the establishment of a regionally agreed protocol and a Standard Operating Procedure for boarding and inspection of fishing vessels; Further enhance the exchange of information and intelligence with MCS agencies in Sri Lanka and India to combat IUU fishing; MOFMRA to enter into discussions with Maldives Customs Service to establish a formal working arrangement to implement port state measures in the Maldives, including control of fish carrier vessels; etc.
The NPOA-IUU contributes to enabling more inclusive and efficient fisheries and food systems. The Actions proposed include: Amend current draft new fisheries regulation to require fish importers to adhere to an internationally approved catch documentation or trade documentation scheme for all fish products imported to Maldives; Enhance crosschecking and verification of information on catch certificates; Collaborate with regional and international partners to the extent possible on ongoing research work related to combatting IUU fishing; etc.