France Intensifies Battle Against Illegal Fishing With New Initiatives
France unveils new measures to combat illegal fishing in its waters.
Key Points
- • IUU fishing makes up 15% of global fish catches, causing €10-20 billion in annual losses.
- • France plans to strengthen international agreements against IUU fishing.
- • Thirteen illegal fishing vessels were destroyed in Guiana in 2024.
- • Drones will be used for monitoring illegal fishing in French EEZ.
On June 12, 2025, France announced a series of initiatives aimed at combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, emphasizing the pressing environmental and economic challenges posed by this global issue. According to the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, IUU fishing accounts for approximately 15% of global fish captures, leading to estimated economic losses between €10 billion and €20 billion annually. The situation is particularly dire in French Guiana, where illegal fishing has escalated over the past fifteen years, primarily involving vessels from neighboring countries.
In an effort to address the unfettered operations in its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), France is advocating for a stronger international framework to combat IUU fishing. This includes plans to ratify various multilateral agreements issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), and integrating measures against illegal fishing into the recently established European Ocean Pact.
Recent enforcement efforts have yielded tangible results, with French authorities destroying 13 illegal vessels during fishery patrols in Guiana in 2024. Furthermore, France aims to employ drones to monitor and address fishing infringements in its EEZ, although current legislation does not yet allow the direct use of aerial imagery as legal evidence.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition reiterated that the continuation of IUU fishing not only threatens marine biodiversity and fish stocks but also places local fishermen from developing nations at a disadvantage, exacerbating economic disparities and environmental degradation. These concerted efforts reflect France's ambition to establish itself as a global leader in the fight against IUU fishing, employing innovative technologies while fostering international collaboration.
As France pursues these initiatives, the focus remains on protecting marine ecosystems and rights of local fishing communities, with an eye towards sustainable exploitation of marine resources.