Abstract
The article examines the legal fight against the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the EU, particularly in the Black Sea. At international level the term was first mentioned in 1992, then in 2001 in the framework of FAO there was a broader definition adopted. The article pays attention to the EU secondary legislative acts, certification system and sanctions regime. The IUU fishing is a complex, multi-faceted and dynamic problem. Recent statistical data shows that the amount of money of the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is between 9 and 24 billion U.S. dollars per year. IUU fishing has serious biological, economic and social consequences. The author concludes that the fight against IUU fishing requires efforts of coastal States, efforts of regional organizations as well as efforts by the whole international community.