The International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing was celebrated for the first time on 5 June 2018, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the lead agency for the new international day. The date was selected because 5 June is the date, in 2016, when the first international treaty designed to end illegal fishing – the FAO Port State Measures Agreement – entered into force.

Seraphin Dedi, Secretary General of the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, speaking at the sixth meeting of the West Africa Task Force (WATF) meeting in Lomé, Togo said, ‘The United Nations has recently decided to celebrate the fight against IUU fishing with this international day. It is opportune that this falls on the first day of our West Africa Task Force (WATF) meeting as it gives us all an opportunity to reiterate our commitment and dedication to combatting illegal fishing. The WATF has further committed to institutionalize the celebration of International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing into future WATF activities and will continue to raise awareness of the event in the wider West Africa region.’

The West Africa Task Force celebrated the day with the signing of a commitment board. Elsa Patria, Chair of Stop Illegal Fishing commented, ‘This international day is an important opportunity to highlight efforts taking place globally, regionally and nationally to combat illegal fishing. By celebrating this day and by signing this board we are confirming our dedication to the fight against IUU fishing.’