Towards a Blue Revolution in the Bay of Bengal: Tackling Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Through Effective Regional Cooperation

Abstract

Abstract This article argues that the Bay of Bengal coastal States have largely failed to comply with their ‘duty to cooperate’ with other States in managing and conserving fisheries resources in the Bay. The obligation to cooperate is found in applicable international and national instruments and is also regarded as a rule of customary international law. This failure of rim States to effectively engage with other States within the region in regulating marine fisheries has exacerbated the problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Bay. This article recommends a major overhaul of the regional ocean governance arrangement in the region, which would help tackle IUU fishing and, in turn, facilitate the achievement of blue growth through ensuring sustainable exploitation and conservation of marine living resources in the Bay. The article finally moots for developing a regional agenda towards forming a dedicated scheme to deal with IUU fishing.