The first illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing awareness day will take place globally on June 5.
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) said the day will promote awareness of the need to combat IUU fishing, which it has included it among the five targets of the mid-term strategy (2017 to 2020) towards the sustainability of Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries.
"We are extremely pleased to now have such an important arena to raise awareness about IUU fishing and its devastating consequences," said GFCM Executive Secretary Abdellah Srour.
"We are confident that observing this international day will help strengthen efforts and collaborations in support of our mandate, which is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources."
Globally, IUU fishing activities are estimated to account for 20 per cent of total catches.
The awareness day was introduced by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the same day two years ago that the Port State Measures Agreement officially entered into force as the first international treaty designed to end IUU fishing worldwide.
