Nicosia, Cyprus. Oceana on Tuesday urged the Cypriot government to address what it described as critical law enforcement gaps involving Cypriot-linked fishing vessels registered in non-European Union countries.
Call for ownership transparency
Oceana said transparency regarding vessel ownership is essential for enforcing fishing regulations, ensuring illegal activities do not go unpunished and preventing unfair competition for legitimate businesses.
Findings on vessel registration abroad
Referring to a recent report, Oceana said its findings revealed links between Cypriot interests and vessels registered in countries including Belize and Equatorial Guinea.
Concerns over oversight and control
The group said the jurisdictions in those countries were characterised by inadequate oversight and limited control, which it said enabled illegal fishing practices and resulted in unfair competition among fishing companies.
Appeal to the Cypriot government
Oceana called for full disclosure of what it described as hidden ownership of the vessels and urged that information on the Cypriot companies that own them be gathered to address what it called a critical gap in law enforcement.
Broader EU-linked vessel registrations
Oceana said it has previously identified at least 105 EU-owned vessels registered in 20 high-risk countries, with nearly one third authorised to export their catch to the EU.
What steps do you think should be taken to ensure full disclosure of fishing vessel ownership linked to Cyprus?