Spain: A pioneering country in the fight against the infringement of the international legal regime for fisheries

Abstract

This paper analyses the measures adopted by Spain under national, European and international regulations, in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The paper explains how Spain, as a leading European and international fishing power, has been a pioneer in the adoption of said measures. The strategy put into action by Spain against this illicit activity is based on the effective exercise of its jurisdiction as a state, and the application of a broad, rigorous, and powerful sanctioning regime. In this regard, the article shows how the administrative sanctioning process has proved to be highly effective against IUU fishing offences and has demonstrated its deterrent power in the fight against illegal fishing. The article concludes that the reinforcement of coordination and collaboration mechanisms between states, is the best way forward to ensure the coherence and effectiveness of the regional, national and international legal framework, and to avoid loopholes in their implementation to prevent IUU fishing activities. To this end, the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) play an extremely important role. The European Union, as a member of these organisations, should contribute through its initiatives, to the adoption of more decisive solutions against predatory fishing practices.