Abstract
A short account of how existing fisheries information collected by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and coastal states can be used to expose illegal fishing. Here we draw on a little-known report, published in Spanish in Costa Rica, which reveals potential cases of illegal fishing from foreign tuna purse seiners. The cases, still pending action on behalf of the authorities, involve fishing without a licence, and the illegal use of fish aggregating devices. We discuss the broader implications of these cases, and suggest recommendations that could be adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and coastal states.
Highlights
Millions of people depend on marine fisheries for food and livelihoods
The latest estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization indicate that nearly 30% of assessed fish stocks are overfished (FAO, 2014)
We present a case where Regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and government information was obtained and used by a nongovernment organization (NGO) to discover possibly serious instances of illegal fishing that had not been detected by the RFMO or the government themselves
Summary
Millions of people depend on marine fisheries for food and livelihoods. global marine fisheries are severely degraded. An applicable and valuable tool for combatting IUU fishing is the collection, analysis, and sharing of information about fishing vessels and their operations, inside and outside economic exclusive zones. Examples of this are the use of satellite data by initiatives such Global Fishing Watch and Project Eyes on the Sea. We present a case where RFMO and government information was obtained and used by a nongovernment organization (NGO) to discover possibly serious instances of illegal fishing that had not been detected by the RFMO or the government themselves. Combatting IUU Fishing with Information highlights the importance of openly available information and the need for political will— far not apparent—to act on IUU fishing when it is detected
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