FISHERIES Minister John Maneniaru and his delegation has welcomed the news of Solomon Islands being relieved of its ‘yellow card’ status by the European Commission in Bali, Indonesia yesterday.

Minister Maneniaru, Permanent Secretary Dr Christian Ramofafia and other officials are in Bali for Economist’s World Ocean Summit.

He is expected to release a statement today on this lifting of the yellow card on tuna export today.

A statement released yesterday said European Commission has lifted ‘yellow cards’ for Curaçao and Solomon Islands, recognising the significant progress both countries have made in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Speaking at the Economist’s World Ocean Summit in Bali, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, said this was a good day for Curaçao and Solomon Islands, and good news for sustainable fisheries around the globe.

“Countries worldwide have a shared duty to fight illegal fishing, protect law-abiding fishermen, and keep our oceans healthy. I encourage others to join the European Union in this fight and contribute to better ocean governance.”

Under the IUU Regulation, the European Commission warned Curaçao in November 2013 and Solomon Islands in December 2014 that they were not doing enough against IUU fishing.

Since then, both countries have embarked on a series of reforms to bring their fisheries legal and administrative frameworks in line with international law, and are now equipped to tackle illegal fishing effectively.

Working closely with the European Commission, they have strengthened their sanctioning system, and have improved monitoring and control of their fleets.

The IUU Regulation is the EU’s main tool in the fight against illegal fishing. It encourages countries to work with the European Commission to improve their fisheries governance and retain access to the EU’s market. The EU is the world’s biggest importer of fisheries products.

IUU fishing threatens global fish populations and penalises fishermen who play by the rules. The global value of IUU fishing is estimated at approximately 10 billion euros per year, up to 15 percent of catches worldwide.

With the decision yesterday, Curaçao and Solomon Islands joined the growing list of countries (Sri Lanka, Ghana, Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Korea, the Philippines, Fiji, Belize, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu) that have reformed their fisheries governance systems following a warning by the EU.

Minister Maneniaru and his delegation met with the EU Commissioner in Bali yesterday where EU officially announced the lifting of the yellow card.

Meanwhile discussing fisheries Competent Authorities (CA) to implement health and safe handling of fish from the catcher boat to the consumer overseas and EU market access is a major part of a two weeks’ Pacific trade, commerce, investment and fisheries officials meeting currently underway at the FFA Headquarters in Honiara.