Approach
There are no easy answers to address the crisis of illegal fishing in Africa, but we are committed to tackling the root causes of the problem in order to protect our waters and oceans and those who depend upon them. Through a well-coordinated approach of robust policy making, building capacity, and providing the tools and mechanisms to implement change at national, regional and international levels, Stop Illegal Fishing is making a tangible difference.
Stop Illegal Fishing works through a mix of:
- Proving training, mentoring and intelligence in monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) including tools, procedures and investigative support to front line officers.
- Compiling evidence on illegal fishing and analysing this to understand trends, drivers and what needs to change to overcome illegal fishing.
- Using this information to prepare articles, technical reports, procedures and policy briefs to support regional and international processes and operational and policy change.
Network
Bringing together professionals, experts and champions to lead the campaign against illegal fishing SIF is able to provide innovative approaches to established issues.
Stop Illegal Fishing has been operating effectively since 2007 when it was founded as a network to combat illegal fishing for countries of southern Africa.
Bringing together professionals, experts and champions to lead the African campaign against illegal fishing Stop Illegal Fishing provides a unique mechanism that provides innovative approaches to established issues.
By working in partnership with governments, regional and continental organisations, civil society, MCS practitioners, NGOs, universities, intergovernmental organisations and the global fishing industry, the Stop Illegal Fishing network is in a unique position to tackle illegal fishing.
Stop Illegal Fishing supports MCS Task Force’s in Southern and West Africa, which are a good example of how effective networks of committed and well-motivated practitioners can make a difference and lead to new ways of tackling old issues. At the core of the effectiveness of the Stop Illegal Fishing network is the trust and communication that has been built up through years of working together and many Stop Illegal Fishing network members are ex-MCS officials from African governments.
Investigative
We have built a team of specialists who understand international fisheries and have detailed knowledge of the complex multi-jurisdictional nature of illegal fishing and fisheries crimes.
Stop Illegal Fishing have been involved in investigations into suspected illegal fishing activity since it was founded in 2007.
We have built a team of dedicated specialists who not only understand international fisheries but who also have detailed knowledge of the complex multi-jurisdictional nature of illegal fishing and fisheries crimes.
With undercover investigators, legal advisors, analysts and dedicated fisheries experts working closely together Stop Illegal Fishing are making a difference.
Our investigations have assisted in many arrests, convictions, penalties and enforcement actions in Africa and beyond.
Evidence based
By working at national, regional and international levels Stop Illegal Fishing are creating a strong evidence based resource that can drive change and target action more effectively.
Stop Illegal Fishing develop evidence from our work throughout Africa to influence decision-making and change in fisheries policy.
We are building a better knowledge and understanding of the impact of IUU fishing and the issues surrounding it through assessing current knowledge, undertaking new research and analysing issues from an African perspective. A range of studies and analysis have taken place, considering the impacts of IUU fishing and linking these to the issues and solutions of IUU fishing in Africa.
Our series of case studies provide practical lesson learning and advice to African and international policy makers.
Through the work of the Stop Illegal Investigative Unit we are uncovering the modus operandi of illegal operators.
This knowledge leads to:
- More effective enforcement actions.
- More robust policy making at a national and international level.
- Provides a solid basis for undermining the organised crime groups who are at the heart of much of the illegal fishing.
Awareness raising
One in four fish in Africa is caught illegally, this threatens the sustainability of fish stocks, damages the ecosystem and deprives governments of income and people of livelihoods.
Stop Illegal Fishing has played a role in the growing awareness and interest in illegal fishing over the last decade. This is essential to bring about change whether that is through political decision making or consumer influence.
With evidence from activities and investigations throughout Africa, Stop Illegal Fishing is active in raising awareness, working for change and in pushing for policy reform.
Engagement with the media has been crucial to exert pressure on authorities in several of the illegal fishing cases we have been involved in. Increasingly social media is also contributing to identifying illegality and in ensuring that the relevant authorities take action.
By raising awareness of and debating the impacts of illegal fishing in Africa we can increase transparency, reduce corruption, increase peer pressure among nation States and MCS practitioners. This all contributes to and encourages pan-African cooperation to combat illegal fishing.
Our series of Case Studies offers evidence-based information on the challenges faced in stopping illegal fishing and the next steps and policy needs.
Capacity building
Illegal fishing is a complex issue that requires multifaceted responses. Stop Illegal Fishing are working with a range of organisations to bring about change.
Well-informed, engaged fisheries professionals are vital to ensuring an end to illegal fishing. Working at the front line often in difficult circumstances fisheries inspectors and MCS officers play a crucial role in increasing compliance in the fishery sector, identifying illegal behaviour, bringing criminals to justice.
Building human and institutional capacity has been a core part of Stop Illegal Fishing’s activity throughout Africa. Training events have been conducted in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe with participants from more than 30 African countries.
Stop Illegal Fishing has organised a range of training events covering many aspects of MCS, including risk assessment, inspections, evidence collection, port State measures, flag State responsibilities, community monitoring, national plans of action IUU and inter-agency cooperation.
Building human capacity enables better handling of the complex cases that result from the multi-jurisdictional nature of fisheries violations and fisheries crimes.
International policy processes
One in four fish in Africa is caught illegally, this threatens the sustainability of fish stocks, damages the ecosystem and deprives governments of income and people of livelihoods.
Stop Illegal Fishing also work hard to support policy change. We are embedded in the political processes and organisations in Africa – serving as the chair of the AU MCS working group, as an international technical partner in the SADC IUU Task Force, and at international fora such as COFI Stop Illegal Fishing helps to coordinate an African Voice to influence international fishery policy processes.
Stop Illegal Fishing considers ratification and future implementation of the UN FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) as a significant step towards ensuring that legally caught fish enters the supply chain; to this end we have been working with many African countries to encourage and support the ratification process.