SIF Investigative Unit

Stop Illegal Fishing have been running investigations into illegal fishing and fisheries crimes since its foundation in 2007. We have created a team of fisheries specialists with legal, analytical and technical expertise. This team has been formalized in 2016 to become the Stop Illegal Fishing Investigative Unit with operational head quarters in Botswana.

Stop Illegal Fishing are able to provide real time advice to enforcement officers dealing with suspicious vessels or companies. Knowing what to look for, what information to request and how to deal with and analyse evidence can be challenging for MCS officers who encounter these situations infrequently.

Stop Illegal Fishing undertake undercover operations to get to the truth about activity in the fisheries sector, our recent work has included detailing the extent of the shark fin trade in Kenya and Somalia and establishing the links between criminal gangs in Africa and China.

The strength of our network internationally with government authorities and international organisations such as INTERPOL and UNODC enable Stop Illegal Fishing to contribute to catching illegal fishers and making sure that penalties and convictions are secured.