June 5: A Day to Raise Global Awareness on Illegal Fishing
On June 5, the United Nations observed the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. This day is a strong call to action. It highlights one of the most significant dangers that our seas are currently facing.
IUU fishing is more than just catching fish the wrong way. It breaks the rules, skips taxes, and takes advantage of poor oversight. The result? Huge profits for criminals—often in the tens of billions of U.S. dollars every year. But for honest fishers and governments, this means lost income, unpaid customs fees, and fewer resources to protect marine life.
Illegal fishing does not just hurt nature. It also hurts economies, jobs, and food supplies. Coastal communities, especially in poorer countries, feel the greatest impact. They depend on the ocean for their food and their future.
A Threat Beyond the Ocean
Illegal fishing harms more than just fish populations. It seriously affects marine biodiversity. That means fewer fish, coral, and marine animals in the long term. Pollution, climate change, and acidification are already putting stress on the ocean. IUU fishing makes it worse.
Overfishing causes fish stocks to shrink. Legal fishermen find it more difficult to earn a living as a result. It’s not just unfair competition. It’s dangerous for food security.
Even more troubling, IUU fishing is often linked to other crimes. These include forced labor, arms and drug trafficking, and money laundering. Many of the boats used are not tracked properly. This lack of monitoring makes it easy for criminals to cross borders and smuggle illegal goods.
Because of this, IUU fishing is a problem for both the environment and global security. It affects not only coastlines but entire regions. That’s why the fight against it must be global.
U.S. Leads the Charge Against Illegal Fishing with SAFE Act and Strategy
The United States has taken a leading role in fighting illegal fishing. It supports global efforts to protect marine life, enforce fair trade, and ensure safety in coastal regions.
One key tool is the Safety and for Enforcement (SAFE) Port Act. This law brings together different U.S. government agencies. They work with partners overseas to patrol waters, check seafood sources, and crack down on criminal networks.
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Through the SAFE Act, the U.S. government monitors illegal fishing and enforces strict trade rules. It ensures only legal, sustainably caught seafood enters the market.
President Biden’s 2022 National Security Memorandum on Combating IUU Fishing laid the foundation for a National Five-Year Strategy. This plan aims to:
- Support sustainable fisheries around the world.
- Strengthen control and surveillance of fishing activities.
- Make sure only legal and responsible seafood is sold.
This strategy helps protect marine ecosystems and builds strong partnerships across nations.
Regional Partnerships Combat Illegal Fishing on Multiple Fronts
To combat IUU fishing when it occurs, the United States collaborates closely with other nations. For instance, the United States and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) support Senegal in West Africa. They train law enforcement and prosecutors to tackle fishing crimes.
In Asia, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) teams up with the Philippines government. Together, they educate fishers and improve tracking of large illegal operations. A special tool was developed to assess and report threats from IUU fishing. This helps police and courts take faster action.
Public and private partnerships also play a major role. In Peru and Ecuador, a program called Por la Pesca brings together USAID, the Walton Family Foundation, and local communities. In just two years, they registered 750 vessels, trained 2,700 fishers, and helped pass six new laws. These efforts help fishers follow the rules and protect ocean life.
Technology is also a key weapon. Tools like satellite tracking, mobile apps, and blockchain can identify illegal activity. NGOs and seafood companies work together to keep bad actors out of the supply chain.
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