From Poachers to Policy: Waging War on Illegal Fishing

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a persistent and growing threat to marine biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, and global food security. Approximately 11 to 26 million tons of fish, 15 to 30% of the global catch, are taken illegally or without reporting each year. This haul is valued between $10 billion and $23.5 billion annually. If you ignore a posted “No Fishing” sign in a marina and fish anyway, it would be considered IUU fishing — specifically the illegal component — because you’re violating a local or regional regulation set by the managing authority. (Katherine Clements image) At the core of the issue are three overlapping categories that define IUU fishing. Illegal fishing involves operations without licenses, the use of banned gear, or fishing in closed zones. Unreported fishing refers to failure to report or deliberate misreporting of catch data. Unregulated fishing occurs in unmanaged areas and often targets vulnerable species. These categories rarely operate in isolation. Rogue vessels often engage in all three: sneaking into restricted areas, disabling tracking transponders, and falsifying their catch. The result is a chaotic and damaging free-for-all on the high seas. The consequences aren’t just ecological. IUU fishing disproportionately targets high-value, vulnerable species like Patagonian toothfish,...