The non-binding FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing (CCRF, ‘the Code’) was developed in 1995 for the purpose of promoting sustainable and responsible harvest of fish resources. The report ranks 53 nations with a significant fisheries industry according to compliance with the code.
The WWF and University of British Colombia used data from 2003-2005 and employed specific criteria including fishery impacts on biodiversity, discards and bycatch, implementation of marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and no-take areas, consideration given to small-scale fisheries, coastal communities and aboriginal peoples, the control of excess fishing capacity, the extent and control of illegal fishing, and the use of flags of convenience to circumvent regulations. Each country's intentions, as shown trough laws and regulations, was distinguished from the effectiveness with which the measures were enforced.
The report found that Norway fulfilled these criteria best, with a 60 per cent compliance rate. Other large fishing nations such as USA, Canada, Australia, Iceland and Namibia followed closely.
The report's authors expresses concern that 90% of nations have failed to adress overfishing.