ABSTRACT The developmental challenges for small island developing states (SIDS) globally are also relevant to the Indian Ocean SIDS: Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles. Here we review the issues of economic vulnerability, state functioning, and climate change. There is also a more detailed assessment of maritime security as an issue that impinges on the ability of the Indian Ocean SIDS to meet their developmental challenges, giving attention to illegal fishing, piracy, and drug trafficking, including the way the SIDS have responded. Having assessed the developmental position of the Indian Ocean SIDS, including the issue of maritime security, the argument turns to how this situation is relevant to geopolitics in the region. The major powers can assist the SIDS to meet their developmental challenges, thus enhancing their own position in the region. However the SIDS also have agency by being proactive in responding to their developmental challenges, including maritime security.

The fishery sector faces critical cold chain challenges, such as 20-30% spoilage of seafood, overfishing, illegal fishing, and information gaps. These issues threaten global food security and sustainability. This systematic literature review investigates how IoT applications enhance traceability, sustainability, and food security in fishery cold chains compared to traditional manual methods, integrating blue economy principles to promote sustainable ocean resource use. Using the PICO framework, this study examines IoT interventions (e.g., sensors, RFID, and blockchain) across capture fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood processing, with a focus on transparency, waste reduction, and alignment with SDGs 2 and 14. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, seven studies from 2011 to 2025 were synthesized from Scopus, Semantic Scholar, and Crossref via Publish or Perish software. MMAT appraisal rated six studies high and one medium. Findings reveal that IoT-blockchain hybrids reduce fraud by up to 35%, RFID improves real-time monitoring, and barriers such as high costs hinder adoption in developing regions. Blue economy outcomes include reduced waste, prevention of illegal fishing, and inclusive growth for SMEs. This review’s significance lies in its novel integration of IoT with blue economy principles, offering fishery-specific guidelines to advance sustainable food systems. Research gaps include scalability in the global South and AI-IoT synergies. Policymakers should prioritize IoT adoption to strengthen governance, while future studies should explore cost-effective, climate-resilient solutions.

ABSTRACT Sustainable fisheries are often undermined by illegal, unreported and, in some cases, unregulated fishing (collectively, IUU fishing). As such, it is critical to ensure that current research effectively informs practical fisheries management interventions. We conducted an exploratory scoping review of 509 scholarly articles to assess general trends related to how IUU fishing is framed and distributed in the literature, identifying prevailing narratives that may influence governance. Research on the topic of IUU fishing has increased over time, although geographic distributions in terms of study locations and lead authorship do not necessarily align with global hotspots and priorities. While most location‐specific studies include at least one author affiliated with an institution from the region being studied, a bias remains towards first authors from high‐income countries. Moreover, while there is a justified focus on the Western Pacific Ocean, other vulnerable regions, such as the West Indian Ocean, remain comparatively underrepresented. Contrary to the assumption of a social science deficit in marine conservation, over half of the articles categorised applied a primarily social science lens; however, coverage from the behavioural sciences was limited. A subset analysis revealed a strong emphasis on large‐scale illegal fishing, with frequent conceptual blurring across fishery scales and IUU components. These patterns suggest a high‐level and often ambiguous framing of IUU fishing, which may risk oversimplifying complex issues and diluting context‐specific nuances. We recommend a shift towards more grounded and solutions‐oriented research, with more focus on unreported and unregulated fishing, particularly in small‐scale contexts and underrepresented locations.

This paper examines Indonesia's initiatives to achieve sustainable maritime development, with a focus on port infrastructure modernization, environmental sustainability, and the reduction of illegal fishing. As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia's maritime sector holds significant potential for economic growth and biodiversity conservation. However, challenges such as outdated port facilities, environmental degradation, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing hinder progress. The study employs a SWOT analysis and a literature review to assess the current state of the maritime sector and identify opportunities for improvement. Key findings reveal that while Indonesia has made strides in developing Green and Smart Ports, there are limitations in scaling these initiatives across the archipelago. Additionally, despite advances in technology for monitoring IUU fishing, enforcement remains insufficient, especially in remote regions. The paper emphasizes the importance of decarbonization, the adoption of renewable energy sources, and the development of blue financing mechanisms to support sustainable projects. The study concludes that overcoming financial barriers, expanding green initiatives, and enhancing coordination between stakeholders are essential for Indonesia to realize its maritime sustainability goals by 2045. Keywords: Sustainable Maritime Development, Green Ports, IUU Fishing, Blue Financing, Port Modernization.

In most fisheries, the traditional centralised, top-down management approach is still prevalent despite its limited success. While a bottom-up ecosystem-based approach is increasingly preferred, a shift in focus from purely ecological considerations to a socio-ecological system approach is necessary. The latter approach requires understanding interrelationships between fishers, the environment and legislative bodies. We conducted an onsite survey of shore-based anglers in Dorob National Park, Namibia, in 2023, to assess angler motivations, compliance, behaviour and perceptions regarding the regulations and management of the fishery. Among the 234 anglers interviewed, the main subgroup comprised recreational anglers who fished primarily for recreation and food (but not subsistence). Only a small portion (n = 6 anglers, ∼3% of the sample) said they fished solely for livelihood support, and thus constituted small-scale or subsistence fishers. Twenty percent of the anglers reported deliberate non-compliance behaviour, attributing this to declining catches and a need to support their livelihood. We thematised the anglers’ perceived reasons for declines in primary target species (namely, silver kob Argyrosomus inodorus, west coast steenbras Lithognathus aureti and galjoen Dichistius capensis). The four most-cited themes were: (i) inadequate regulation of commercial boat fishing or recreational ski-boat fishing; (ii) non-compliance, overfishing or illegal fishing; (iii) climate/human-induced environmental changes; and (iv) poor enforcement of the fishing regulations. The anglers’ top suggestions for improving the shore-based fishery in Namibia included stricter or revised harvest control rules and improved enforcement. From these data we conclude that it is imperative that the suggestions and concerns of shore-based anglers be addressed by all stakeholders in the fishery, and that regulations aimed at promoting sustainable fishing should incorporate the ecological and social/human dimensions if the stock status and management of Namibia’s shore-based fishery is to improve.

Comparative metabolomics reveals biosignatures in wild vs. farmed Hypophthalmichthys nobilis: A UHPLC-MS/MS-based authentication strategy.

Incorporating knowledge graph and multi-model stacking ensemble learning for prediction of fines for illegal fishing

As the world’s largest archipelagic state, Indonesia possesses vast and strategically important maritime areas, including the southern Papua maritime border adjacent to Australia and Papua New Guinea, which is vulnerable to sovereignty violations such as illegal fishing, smuggling, and border incursions. This study examines the role of the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) as the main component of national defense in Indonesian jurisdictional waters in safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and securing sea lines of communication and national interests from various threats, while also analyzing the role of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), particularly the Bakamla Station in Merauke, as a non-military maritime security and safety guardian operating through the Indonesia Maritime Patrol system. The research employs an empirical juridical approach by reviewing key regulations, including Law Number 34 of 2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) as last amended by Law Number 3 of 2025 on the TNI, Law Number 32 of 2014 on Maritime Affairs, and Presidential Regulation Number 178 of 2014, and by analyzing the implementation of these legal frameworks in society. The findings show that TNI AL and Bakamla (Bakamla Station Merauke) constitute the front line of national maritime security in line with Indonesia’s national development vision as articulated in Asta Cita, particularly its second pillar on consolidating the national defense and security system. However, optimalizing the role of these two institutions is still constrained by limited resources, the complex geopolitical dynamics of the southern Papua border area, and regional sentiments in the Asia–Pacific. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and updating maritime security strategies to support the realization of a robust maritime defense posture that is responsive to the evolving threat landscape in border regions.

Indonesia’s maritime domain faces increasingly complex security threats, particularly amid the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region marked by the rise of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, smuggling, and jurisdictional violations. These challenges are compounded by institutional fragmentation in maritime law enforcement, where overlapping mandates among multiple agencies have resulted in weak coordination, task duplication, and a fragile Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) framework. This study analyzes the policy transformation needs of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) toward adopting a sea and coast guard model as a strategic approach to strengthen national maritime security governance. Using a qualitative document analysis, the study examines key legal instruments namely Law No. 32/2014, Law No. 17/2008, and Government Regulation No. 13/2022 that serve as Bakamla’s operational foundations. A comparative analysis of maritime security practices in the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore is also conducted to identify relevant lessons. Findings indicate that Bakamla already possesses a strategic mandate for coordination, patrol, and information integration; however, implementation remains constrained by limited interagency integration, inadequate resources, and institutional resistance. The study concludes that transforming Bakamla into a single-agency, multi-task institution is essential to address authority fragmentation and enhance maritime law enforcement effectiveness. Institutional reform can be achieved through regulatory consolidation, establishment of a unified command, development of an Integrated Maritime Information Center (IMIC), and clarification of roles at strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Implementing the sea and coast guard model is expected to enhance cross-sectoral integration and strengthen Indonesia’s capacity to respond to contemporary maritime threats.

This study examines the effectiveness of cooperation between the Directorate of Water and Air Police (Polairud) and other institutions in addressing illegal fishing in Indonesian waters. The phenomenon of illegal fishing, particularly by foreign vessels in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), has caused significant economic, social, and ecological losses. Polairud, as a maritime law enforcement agency, plays a crucial role in patrolling, investigating, and securing maritime areas. However, its effectiveness relies heavily on synergy with other institutions such as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the Indonesian Navy, and the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla). This study uses a juridical-empirical approach with qualitative analysis of statutory data, institutional documents, interviews, and reports of joint patrol activities. The results indicate that inter-agency cooperation has been implemented through integrated patrols, information exchange, and technical training, but still faces obstacles such as overlapping authority, sectoral egos, and limited patrol and communication facilities. Regulatory harmonization increased inter-agency coordination, and the establishment of a Joint Command Center as a joint control center for maritime law enforcement are needed. Strong institutional synergy will strengthen efforts to eradicate illegal fishing and guarantee protection of the sovereignty and sustainability of Indonesia's marine resources.

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) has been identified as one of the four famous Chinese carps. The Yangtze River is the main home to silver carp. However, during the “ten-year fishing ban”, illegal fishing frequently occurred, law enforcement agencies failing to discriminate between farmed and wild fish from the Yangtze River. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop a simple and effective method to discriminate between farmed and wild silver carp from the Yangtze River. In this study, 76 fatty acids were analyzed in 266 silver carp samples. The top 8 fatty acids that exhibited the best performance were identified as candidate biomarkers. The different origins of wild silver carp were also identified. Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, myristic acid proportion of total fatty acids was considered as a biomarker which has high sensitivity and specificity in discrimination of farmed and wild silver carp.

The sea has maintained its pivotality to international trade over the decades, serving as the primary conduit for international transportation of goods. This has in turn catalyzed the economic ascendance of both coastal and landlocked States. Empirical evidence reveals that over 90% of Cameroon’s total exports and a substantial proportion of its imports are facilitated through maritime transportation. Concomitantly, the significance of maritime navigation has precipitated a proliferation of illicit activities offshore such as piracy, armed robbery at sea, terrorism, the transportation of contraband cargo, illegal fishing and environmental pollution. These challenges have engendered a considerable threat to navigational safety within Cameroonian waters and the Gulf of Guinea, necessitating an examination of the extant legal frameworks and remedies provided by international, regional and national instruments, as well as the progress made in mitigating these threats. The overarching objective of this endeavor is to augment maritime security governance and environmental stewardship within the jurisdictional waters of Cameroon and the Gulf of Guinea, thereby fostering a secure and sustainable maritime environment. This study adopts the doctrinal research methodology to achieve its objectives.

Abstract Illegal, unreported, and unregulated ( IUU ) fishing continues despite global condemnation and the adoption of the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing in 1999. Although fisheries and the marine environment are not the primary emphasis of the World Trade Organization, 20 years of negotiations culminated in the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies ( AFS ) in June 2022. The interpretation and application of the AFS will inevitably influence State parties’ rights and obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS ), which establishes the legal framework for all marine space activities. Indeed, UNCLOS tribunals are already incorporating external rules of international law when interpreting and applying treaty provisions, as highlighted in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea’s Climate Change Advisory Opinion in 2024. Accordingly, this study investigates the influence of the AFS , particularly provisions concerning IUU fishing, on UNCLOS rights and obligations. It argues that the AFS will have an impact on, inter alia, sovereign rights of exclusive economic zone coastal States; due regard obligations; flag States’ duties over administrative, technical, and social matters; the obligation to comply with other rules of international law; and obligations to protect and preserve the marine environment.

African oceans and the resources within them contribute to coastal livelihoods and the food security of millions of African people; at the same time, these same people are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, marine pollution, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy and armed robbery at sea, expansion of the Blue Economy sector and the overall impact of depleting oceans resources and insecurity. Understanding how they respond to their vulnerabilities could be useful for addressing maritime security threats holistically and redirecting investments, allowing for the sustainable development of the Blue Economy in a way that adheres to the conceptual definition of the concept, encompassing the improvement of economic growth while ensuring social equity and environmental conservation. This agenda-setting transdisciplinary paper combines ideas from criminology, security and development fields to explore the nexus between deprivation in coastal communities in Africa and criminality at sea and how Africa’s Blue Economy can be leveraged to reverse the trend and ensure sustainable development ashore. Grounded in the critical review of the literature and the author’s theoretical and empirical insights into the Blue Economy, ocean governance and maritime security in Africa. The paper enhances our understanding of the interplay between deprivation and criminality at sea, and how sustainable Blue Economy and maritime security can reverse this trend.

Following years of preparatory efforts and evaluation, China formally acceded to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA) on April 16, 2025, marking a new advancement in its ongoing campaign against IUU fishing and the conservation of marine fisheries. This study examines China’s potential contents for joining the PSMA, identifies implementation challenges, and proposes actionable solutions to amplify its role as a responsible fisheries nation within the PSMA framework. Findings indicate that China’s accession aligns with its national agenda to modernize distant-water fisheries under the “ecological civilization” paradigm, aiming to bolster its influence in global fisheries governance, strengthen multilateral cooperation, and advance contributions to sustainable use of fishery resources. The analysis reveals persistent challenges in four domains: (1) incomplete domestic legal frameworks to meet PSMA obligations; (2) insufficient port-state management systems and enforcement capacities; (3) fragmented international coordination mechanisms; and (4) structural gaps between industrial expansion and sustainability goals. To address these, the study advocates a dual-track strategy. Domestically, priorities include legal and institutional reforms to harmonize with PSMA requirements, enhanced capacity building, and industry modernization. Internationally, China should lead in establishing regional port-state coordination platforms, institutionalize data-sharing partnerships, and promote equitable rulemaking within PSMA. These measures would enhance compliance while advancing China’s dual objectives of fostering sustainable fisheries and solidifying its role as a responsible global fishing contributor.

Nigeria possesses a spacious maritime space that is an important economic aspect and exposed to a complex network of criminal actions. The paper critically examines these security challenges, and they are widespread piracy, advanced kidnapping-for-ransom cases, mass oil piracy, and high economic and environmental cost of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. According to this report, the historical issue and the incapacity of the states to respond to these endemic menaces adequately, has exacerbated the problem, and thus obstructed the effectiveness of traditional security strategies. The Nigerian Navy must win the battle by transcending the conventional ways of operation and employing modern technology tactically as a force multiplier. The solutions that are presented in this paper are recommended to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). This is through the use of a multi-layered system of satellite surveillance (SAR and AIS), shore-based radar, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and safe data networks to provide real-time and overall intelligence. Additionally, it dwells on the necessity to streamline navy platforms and inject the usage of advanced cybersecurity as a way of protecting digital infrastructure. Lastly, the document presumes that technology is not an enabler, but it is fundamental in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of the Nigerian Navy. With these strategic investments into these technological pillars, and the challenges that accompany it; financing and human capacity, Nigeria can significantly improve its maritime security, protect its economic interests and stability in the valuable Gulf of Guinea area.

The purpose of this article is to establish the legal implications of the abbreviated procedure in the case of illegal fishing in Mexico. The problem is the legal scenarios that arise from synthetic processes due to food and labor practices linked to fishing activity that contradict Mexican legal norms. Administrative norms establish requirements for fishing activity that are difficult to comply with, however, norms related to the cultivation, packaging and distribution of seafood are constructed to monitor distribution. The methodology will be content analysis and legal hermeneutics to unravel the meaning of the legal framework. It was found that the regulations related to the abbreviated procedure vary the sanctions or penalties, monopolize decision-making in the accusatory system and can affect the procedural rights of fishermen on the Mexican coasts derived from the non-compliance with the administrative regulation linked to fishing activity.

Abstract The root causes of illegal fishing internationally are numerous and diverse, but is predominantly framed in the literature and media as a security threat and/or crime. This casts illegal fishers as rational decision-makers who perceive the benefits of engaging in unlawful fishing as likely to outweigh the perceived risks and costs. However, a growing scholarship indicates that fisher decision-making is likely to be much more nuanced and be motivated by much more specific ‘illegal fishing drivers’. These actor-based drivers are enabled by the broader social, economic and political contexts in the environment where people live and work. This has led to the emergence of new conceptualizations of illegal fishing, for example, as a ‘wicked problem’, and/or as a product of opportunity rather than underlying motivation. In this paper, we share the results of a collaborative Australian–Indonesian research study into the multiple drivers of the high levels of illegal Indonesian small-scale (including artisanal) transboundary fishing in northern Australian waters since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We use a conceptual framework of non-compliance that captures a dynamic interplay of behavioral drivers that appear to facilitate the recent spike in illegal Indonesian small-scale fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone. Drawing on mixed methods research conducted in four communities of Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, Indonesia, we identify seven behavioral driver categories: economic and livelihood; COVID-19 related; psychological; environmental; cultural and historical; social; and policy and management. These drivers and their 28 dimensions reveal some of the contextual enablers that appear to underpin Indonesian small-scale transboundary fishing. These findings help our understanding of the resurgence of illicit fishing incursions and support identifying long-term solutions for viable community development and policy alternatives for enforcing Australia’s borders. Our study contributes more broadly to the study of non-compliance in small-scale transboundary fishing and small-scale fishing livelihoods.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Transshipment Identification System Design Towards a Resilient Indonesian Marine

Criminal acts in fishing that occur in Indonesian waters, especially Batubara waters, have violated the provisions as stipulated in Law Number 45 of 2009 concerning Fisheries and Regulation of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Number 37/Permen-Kp/2017 Concerning Standard Operating Procedures for Law Enforcement of the Illegal Fishing Eradication Task Force. The problems in this thesis are how the legal regulations for fisheries crimes are regulated, how the criminal liability of perpetrators of fisheries crimes (illegal fishing) in Batubara waters, what are the obstacles and solutions for the Water Police in enforcing the law in Batubara waters. . Prevention efforts are pre-emptive efforts such as conducting routine patrols and conducting legal counseling, Preventive Efforts such as taking further action to prevent the occurrence of illegal fishing crimes and repressive efforts in the form of enforcement/action in accordance with applicable laws