Following a formal warning one year ago the European Commission intensify its fight against illegal fishing by identifying Belize, Cambodia and Guinea as non-cooperating third countries.

Despite the Commission working closely with the countries’ authorities to set up fisheries management and effective control measures, these three countries have still not addressed structural problems and have failed to show real commitment to tackling the problem of illegal fishing.

The Commission now proposes to the Council of ministers to adopt trade measures against the three countries in order to tackle the commercial benefits stemming from these illegal activities.

Ultimately, fisheries products caught by vessels from these countries will be banned from being imported into the EU.

Fiji, Panama, Sri Lanka, Togo and Vanuatu also received formal warnings last year, but they have all made credible progress in close cooperation with the Commission. They have set in motion new legislation and improved their monitoring, control and inspection system and, as a result, dialogue with these countries has been extended until the end of February 2014 with progress to be evaluated next spring.

A “yellow cards” was also handed out for Korea, Ghana and Curacao as they fail to keep up with international obligations to fight illegal fishing.

“These show our steadfast commitment to tackling illegal fishing. The Eu market is negatively affected as are local and EU fishermen. We continue to put pressure on the countries which are fuelling the supply chain of illegal fishing be it as a coastal state, flag state, or flag of convenience. West Africa was identified as a major source of illegal fishing and my intention is now take the same thorough approach in the Pacific.” argued Maria Damaki, Eu commissioner for maritime Affairs.