The Establishment of Catch-traceability System in the “China’s Draft Amendment to the Fisheries Law (for Comment) ”

Abstract

Recently, the catch-traceability system have attracted worldwide attention in the context of Japan’s nuclear pollution water discharge plan and its implementation. Although universal international treaties are difficult to achieve in the short term, distinctive national catch-traceability systems have emerged. China’s Draft Amendment to the Fisheries Law (for Comments) proposes to implement the “catch-traceability system”, but does not clarify the definition, scope, illegal liability and enforcement mechanism of the system. As a major importer and exporter of catch, China’s catch-traceability system has great significance to combat IUU fishing, ensure the smooth of fishery foreign trade and food safety. Based on the existing similar institutional arrangements and practical experience in China and referring to the relevant provisions of the international community, this paper attempts to put forward the substantive elements and argues the best legislative form to present each element, so as to realize the unification of China’s internal rules and expects to realize the internationalization of rules on this basis.

Keywords

• traceability
• iuu fishing
• transparency
• catch
• food safety