EU removes Philippines’ illegal fishing ‘yellow card’

Fishport workers carry tunas for processing in General Santos City. Pic: AP.

By Edwin Espejo Apr 26, 2015

The European Union (EU) has removed the Philippines from the list of countries being challenged in the implementation of measures to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

“Today, the European Commission has revoked the warning yellow card issued to the Philippines in June 2014 regarding measures to fight illegal fishing. The EU acknowledges Philippines’ efforts to partner up with us in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” the European body said in its website.

The Philippines was issued warning – a yellow card – in June last year for possible violation of the strict European standard on traceability of imported fish products.

The country was advised “to fulfill its commitment in deterring and preventing IUU fishing (IUUF) to avoid the possibility of being identified as a non-cooperating country in the international fight against IUUF.”

Philippine agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala immediately welcomed the EU decision to remove the Philippines form the yellow card list saying it will secure the long-term livelihood of 1.8 million Filipino fisher folks.

The Philippines exports US$180 million worth of fish products to the EU market every year.

Most of the fish products that the Philippine exports to Europe are canned and processed tuna.

The EU decision also came after the Philippine government enacted a new fisheries law that will ensure compliance to international agreements on fishing as well as institute measures to help curb illegal fishing and protect marine resources.

“The Department is pleased with this development as it formally recognizes the government’s serious efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of fisheries resource abuse,” Alcala said in a statement.

The European Union earlier granted the Philippines a GSP + status, allowing zero tariffs on over 7,000 Philippine export products, among them tuna and other marine and aquatic products.

Generalized System of Preference or GSP is a preferential tariff system which provides for a formal system of exemption from the more general rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).