 Combating illegal fishing in the developing world
Fish stocks around the world are under threat from illegal fishing according
to a new report by the Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG).
Every year at least $4 billion of fish is caught illegally.
Illegal fishing thrives where national governments are weak and where
countries fail to meet their international responsibilities. Growing demand and
poor controls mean rich pickings for criminals in the waters around developing
countries.
The report, commissioned by the UK's Department for International Development
(DFID), suggests that small investments would reduce illegal fishing and enable
poor countries to benefit from their own resources. The initiative on illegal
fishing has been implemented with cooperation from the Norwegian International
Development Agency (Norad).
-
Review of Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on Developing
Countries - Final Report
 (5.27
mb)
- Review of Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on
Developing Countries - Synthesis Report(1.85
mb)
- IUU Fishing on the High Seas: Impacts on Ecosystems and Future Science Needs
- Draft Final Report(2
mb)
Gareth Thomas, the UK minister for international development said:
"Illegal fishing has a massive impact on the livelihoods of some of the
poorest people in the world. This report examines the cost of illegal fishing to
developing countries - the loss of income that could otherwise be spent on
helping lift large numbers of people out of poverty.
"The UK is leading the international effort to combat this problem.
We'll be raising the issues in the report with the UN and other organisations to
see what can be done to help some of the most vulnerable people in the
world."
Ben Bradshaw, Marine and Fisheries Minister and the Chair of the Ministerial
High Seas Task Force said:
"The High Seas Task Force has created a new international political will
for action to be taken that is both practical and realistic in combating illegal
fishing.
"Many fisheries around the world are under threat of collapse through
over fishing and illegal fishing is a major cause of this.
"This report provides evidence of the need for a major initiative on
illegal fishing to help some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable
countries worldwide."
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