Restoring our wildlife and economy.

What are the impacts of illegal fishing?

Illegal fishing adversely impacts legitimate commercial fishers as well as fish populations. Illegal fishers avoid overhead costs, such as licenses. They fish without the constraints accepted by legal fishers, often falsify documentation and effectively 'launder' their ill-gotten catch. Illegal fishers' actions constitute a clear case of unfair competition since they operate without the costs of doing business legally or the strictures of following established policies and laws

Also, because illegal fishers do not report catch, their fishing activities affect the accuracy of official fish catch and stock estimates. This adversely impacts how fisheries are managed because regulatory bodies use reported catches and stock estimates to set catch limits and otherwise manage fish populations. Thus, because the real volume of fish caught is unknown, it is very difficult to effectively manage fisheries where illegal fishing is taking place

Illegal fishing often causes grave environmental damage, especially when vessels use prohibited gear, such as driftnets, that catches non-target species (like sharks, turtles or dolphins) or physically damages or destroys reefs, seamounts and other vulnerable marine ecosystems.

 Finally, the illegal fishing causes damage to the countries by stealing economic incomes away from the local communities, creating a rippling effect of lost revenues.

How much of a problem is IUU fishing?

IUU sands for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It is difficult to measure the volume of IUU fishing taking place across the world's oceans, but experts estimate that illegal and unreported fishing costs the global economy up to $23 billion annually, which represents around 20 percent of the global seafood catch. In developing countries IUU fishing often impacts smaller-scale fishers by stealing fish from near-shore waters or undermining the ecosystem on which the fish depend.

Illegal Trafficking & Dissolution

  • Economic Impacts

    Loss of Revenue: Illegal fishing leads to a substantial loss of revenue for governments and legal fishing enterprises. This includes losses from uncollected taxes, fines, and license fees.

    Market Distortion: The introduction of illegally caught fish into the market can lower prices and distort competition, making it difficult for legal fishers to compete. This can lead to lower incomes and financial instability for law-abiding fishers.

    Depletion of Fish Stocks: Illegal fishing often targets high-value species and can lead to overfishing. This depletes fish stocks, reducing future fishing opportunities and potential revenue from sustainable fisheries.

    Impact on Related Industries: The fishing industry is linked to various other sectors, including processing, transport, and retail. Illegal fishing can harm these industries by reducing the availability of legally caught fish and undermining the reputation of seafood products.

  • Social Impacts

    Livelihoods: Many communities, especially in developing countries, rely on fishing for their livelihoods. Illegal fishing can reduce the available fish stocks, threatening the jobs and income of local fishers and their families.

    Food Security: In many coastal communities, fish is a primary source of protein. Illegal fishing can reduce the availability of fish, threatening food security and nutrition.

    Community Stability: The economic pressure and competition from illegal fishers can lead to increased conflict within communities and between local fishers and illegal operators.

  • Environmental Impacts

    Biodiversity Loss: Illegal fishing practices often involve the use of destructive methods, such as blast fishing or the use of prohibited gear, which can harm marine habitats and non-target species, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

    Ecosystem Imbalance: Overfishing of certain species can disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems, affecting the health and resilience of the entire system.