SGSSI Fishery – Notice of Action Taken in Respect of IUU Fishing Activity Information

(5th May 2016)

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) recently received information that linked the Captain of one of the vessels licensed to fish in its maritime zone to previous Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing activity.

Upon learning of this information the operator of the fishing vessel voluntarily instructed the vessel to return to Stanley and secured a replacement Captain. GSGSSI reviewed the operator’s recruitment processes and has been informed by the operator that changes to these processes, to improve and strengthen them, have now been put in place.

Having taking into consideration all relevant information, including the action taken by the operator, GSGSSI has issued the operator with a written warning in respect of the adequacy of their recruitment processes.

GSGSSI aims to manage its fisheries to the highest international standards of safety and sustainability. It is committed to taking robust action in response to any links to IUU fishing identified with any vessel licensed to fish in its waters.