Organized Crime in the Fisheries Sector

Abstract

Organized crime in the fisheries sector is greater than just illegal fishing. While illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) remains an activity commonly perpetrated by criminal organizations, organized crime in fisheries extends across the spectrum of serious crimes. Organized crime in the fishing industry can take a variety of forms, ranging from trafficking in narcotics and arms to migrant smuggling and forced labor, among other nefarious activities. There is increasing interest in how the private sector can help to reduce IUU fishing and fisheries crimes by promoting transparency of supply chains in the fisheries industry and advancing synergies among stakeholders. This chapter analyzes the risks posed by organized crime to the fisheries industry and evaluates representative public-private partnerships against fisheries-related crimes and business-led initiatives. It aims to stimulate more productive involvement by the private sector in driving its supply chains toward better-governed and more sustainable fisheries and vessels.