An Overview of Response Strategies to Address Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU)

Fishing

Daniel DeStefanoFrancisco Nuñez

OVERVIEW

ISSUES• Over-exploitation of commercial fish• Fishing without a permit in MPAs or EEZs • Difficulty to apprehend or convict

DISTINCTIVE IUU INITIATIVES• Unique methods of combating the problem• How to implement• In what situation

INTERNATIONAL-LEVEL LAW ENFORCEMENT

“The Black Fish”

• Purpose: Implement legislation; run educational programs for volunteers to address the problem of IUU Fishing off the coast of Italy (Mediterranean Sea)

• Actors Involved: The Black Fish Organization, Italian Coastguard, Community Volunteers

• Response Mechanisms: Citizens forward evidence to the Black Fish, who in turn collaborate with the Italian Coastguard

• Strengths: Grassroots effect, collaboration between enforcement agencies, NGOs (The Black Fish) and community members.

INTERNATIONAL-LEVEL LAW ENFORCEMENT

“The Black Fish” 2

• Purpose: Increase effective monitoring of the illegal driftnet fishing occurring off the coast of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea)

• Actors Involved: The Black Fish, ShadowView

• Response Mechanisms: Unmanned aircrafts

• Strengths: The aircrafts are more efficient than vessels in surveying the area

REGIONAL-LEVEL LAW ENFORCEMENT The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union: Regulation 1005/2008: A Community System to Deter, Prevent, and Eliminate IUU Fishing

• Purpose: Deny EU market access to products gained from IUU fishing. Targeted high seas and territories of “third-countries”

• Actors Involved: EU members

• Response Mechanisms: Port restrictions, denunciation of bilateral agreements, confiscation of fishing gear, and inclusion on the IUU list

• Strengths: Increased odds of detection, compliance through market restriction, collaboration between all member states

REGIONAL-LEVEL CONSERVATION

Earth Island Institute: “Dolphin Safe Monitoring Program”

• Purpose: Force compliance within the ETP from nations condoning the use of U.N. denounced fishing gear

• Actors Involved: Earth Island Institute, private tuna companies and vendors

• Response Mechanisms: Certification system using: independent observers, system to aid transitioning companies

• Strengths: Premier tuna certification system, forces companies to comply, stringent standards, willing to transition new companies/vendors

COUNTRY-LEVEL CONSERVATION

Organization for the Promotion of Responsible Tuna Fisheries (OPRT)

• Purpose: Reduce the overexploitation of tuna in Japanese waters

• Actors Involved: Japanese traders, Tuna long-line fishing organizations, other Asian countries and regional fisheries management organizations (ICCAT, FAO, IOTC, CCSBT, IATTC, WCPFC)

• Response Mechanisms: Creation of OPRT; collaborations with RFMOs and international organizations; Positive Lists; awareness campaigns; DNA verification

• Strengths: Promotes public cooperation, Positive Lists assist compliance

COUNTRY-LEVEL LAW ENFORCEMENT

South Africa: Specialized Investigation Unit

• Purpose: To combat the IUU abalone trade

• Actors Involved: SAPS, SAN, SAAF, SADNF, DJAFU, DDSO and South African Fed. Govt., Local Municipalities and Law Enforcement

• Response Mechanisms: Surveillance operations, increased police presence and involvement of the environmental court

• Strengths: Accelerated and efficient prosecution of the IUU abalone fishing and transparency

COUNTRY-LEVEL LAW ENFORCEMENT

TrackWell © Vessel Monitoring and Fisheries Solutions (Iceland)

• Purpose: Create highly sophisticated VMS that aids in preventing the over-exploitation of cod, haddock, redfish from Iceland’s EEZ and the North Atlantic

• Actors Involved: TrackWell © Ltd., Government of Iceland, NEAFC

• Response Mechanisms: E-logbook, Product Manager, CatchViewer Web, CatchViewer Client, Vessel Tracking

• Strengths: Operations can be monitored live through a standard web browser; enables exchange of information; constant tech upgrades (cloud service, ERS integration into VMS)

COUNTRY-LEVEL LAW ENFORCEMENT

A Community-Based IUU Reporting System (Timor Leste)

• Purpose: Develop a monitoring system that is both effective and resource saving , increase fish stocks in Timor Sea

• Actors Involved: Spain, RFLP, FID, MPD, national authorities, civil aviation authority, local village leaders, local fishermen, NMA

• Response Mechanisms: Loaning of PLB’s, use of citizen fishermen, anonymous reporting, immediate reception of report

• Strengths: Community-government ties, inexpensive implementation

and effective in practice, preserves personnel and fuel reserves

CONCLUSION

Challenges• Lack of Compliance: Member states at the international level,

local actors at the country level• High Cost of Enforcement: Expensive enforcement equipment,• Disconnect: Between legislators and the fishing community

Best Practices• Financial Incentives: Locals more likely to comply if livelihood is

sustained through means other than IUU fishing• Regional/Community Pressure: Joint efforts in gaining

compliance • Intelligence Sharing: Information equals more thorough

measures

Specific Recommendations• Education, regional databases, prioritization in funding, technology use,

trade embargoes and international sanctions.

THANK YOU!