Fisheries

Estimated Trends in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Catch Since 1950 in West Coast Fisheries

Click on graph for larger version.

Note: Blue line shows best estimate from calculations.

Estimated IUU catch in B.C.’s groundfish fisheries (shown above) and salmon fisheries has declined.

IUU stands for illegal, unreported and unregulated catch. It includes catch of unmonitored species (often called ‘bycatch’) or fish caught using unregulated vessels or gear. Reducing IUU improves the sustainability of fisheries and reduces impacts on marine ecosystems.

Analysis of B.C. salmon and groundfish fisheries data for 1950 to 2000 shows that:

• As new regulations and changes in fishing gear to reduce catch of non-target fish have taken effect, the estimated total IUU catch has declined.

• Between the 1950s and 1980s, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes of IUU catch was taken, mostly as discards. By 2000, estimated IUU catch was about 8,000 tonnes per year (6.6% of total landings).

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].

Next : Trends in Discards >>