Author(s): Sunday Abdul | Volume 19 Issue.1 (2023)
Abstract
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is increasingly drawing international attention. Coastal States continue to strengthen their efforts to address it as a matter of priority due to its severe implications for food, economic, social and environmental security.
Oceans are a key source of food and employment for millions of people around the world, but fish stocks are being depleted, making fish a valuable commodity. Organised transnational criminal groups are increasingly turning to illegal fishing, which is threatening food security, and the economic, social and political stability of coastal states. The illegal activity does not stop at fishing- criminals use vessels to traffic drugs and people because their nomadic navigation patterns and long periods at sea makes it easy for these vessels to blend into the maritime background without suspicion. Criminal networks also use the proceeds of large-scale commercial fishing to finance other illegal activities. The paper discusses the harmful effects of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing not only on aquatic life, but also on human lives and the economy. The author recommends creating legislations with stiffer punishments, more effective international regulations, strengthening of ports’ security, increased monitoring and enforcement of legislation, and also synergy between enforcement agencies in order to effectively combat the menace. The researcher made use of a doctrinal research method, gathered materials amongst the existing materials on this area and finds that there exists legislative gaps locally and inadequate international synergy aimed at combating IUU fishing.
Keywords: Legislation, Combating Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing.