EU threatens Taiwan, Comoros with ban over illegal fishing

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union is threatening to take trade action against Taiwan and the Comoros if they do not contain within six months illegal and unregulated fishing, which is a major contributor to the depletion of key commercial stocks.

At the same time, the 28-nation trade bloc lifted the so-called yellow card from Ghana and Papua New Guinea after both nations took sufficient measures to crack down on the illegal practices.

EU Fisheries chief Karmenu Vella said he called on Taiwan and the Comoros to follow suit and make sure they are not slapped with export bans to the lucrative EU market.

The EU also imposed a yellow card on Thailand six month ago and is in negotiations over whether it will move to sanctions by the end of the year.