The Expert Consultation was convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with a view to facilitating the implementation of the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Deter, Prevent and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU). The experts focused on the effects of IUU fishing on global fishery resources and on lessons that might be learned from the experiences of flag states that have already implemented tighter control over the activities of their fishing vessels. Background papers and three case studies from selected open registry countries were presented.