2011 Annual Task Force Conference: IUU Fishing: Consequences for the Environment, Conflict and Human Rights

UNODC conducted a study on transnational organized crime (TOC) in the fishing industry which was presented in April 2011 during the meeting of the Commission of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). CCPCJ is the governing body of UNODC and guides the activities of the UN in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. It takes action through resolutions and decisions and adopted in April 2011 a resolution on TOC committed at sea.

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“Illegal Fishing Crosses Borders – So Must Law Enforcement”

Illegal fishing is a crime. When crime crosses borders, so must law enforcement. Gunnar Stølsvik, head of the Norwegian national advisory group against organized IUU-fishing, argues that the UN Convention against transnational organized crime (UNTOC) provides a tool that facilitates criminal investigations on illegal fishing.

Some estimates suggest that illegal fishing causes annual financial losses of up to USD 23.5 billion globally. It results in a major loss of revenue and the effects on coastal states, and developing countries in particular, can be seen throughout the world.

Illegal fishing (or illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, often referred to as IUU fishing) ignores national jurisdictions and international agreements to manage marine resources. This activity is particularly damaging where governance is weak and where states fail to meet their international responsibilities. It puts pressure on fish stocks, marine wildlife and habitats; it distorts markets and undermines labour standards; it threatens food security; it fosters money laundering and creates a market for illegal fish.

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The transnational nature of illegal fishing

Some estimates suggest that illegal fishing causes an­nual financial losses of up to USD 23.5 billion. Much of this activity is carried out by large industrial fishing ves­sels which operate internationally. It results in a major loss of revenue and the effects on coastal states and the poorest countries, in particular, can be seen throughout the world.

Illegal fishing (or illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, often referred to as IUU fishing) ignores nation­al jurisdictions and international agreements to manage marine resources. The effects on coastal states and their communities can be seen throughout the world. Developing countries are especially hurt, since illegal fishing deprives these communities an important pos­sibility to develop their economy. This activity exists where governance is weak and where states fail to meet their international responsibilities. It puts pressure on fish stocks, marine wildlife and habitats; distorts mar­kets and subverts labour standards; is a threat to food security; and creates a market for illegal fish. In addi­tion, the products and proceeds of illegal fishing have to be laundered into the legal market.

The Ministerially-led High Seas Task Force on IUU-fishing on the high seas wrote the following in a report in 2006:

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