Annual Report
Stop Illegal Fishing Annual Report 2016
Stop Illegal Fishing has been at the forefront of fighting illegal fishing since 2007. As an African-based and Africa-focused organisation we see first-hand the issues as well as the impacts of illegal fishing, and experience the challenges in tackling these. We work with many dedicated and impassioned individuals who strive to make a difference. Stop Illegal Fishing provides support where it is needed, by providing expertise, advice, resources, information, analyses and by creating awareness both of the issues and of progress made.
Illegal fishing continues to damage the economies, growth and potential of developing countries as illegal operators take advantage of a system full of flaws and loopholes. The current system allows changes to a ves- sel’s identity or changes in flag State to go unchecked, and to be used to cover up a history of illegality, or to hide the true identity of a vessel.
The legal system is often inadequate with complex mul- ti-jurisdictional cases resulting in little accountability in the judicial system, so even when violations, illegalities and crimes are identified the chances of an effective sanction are small.
Our approach is leading to success, particularly through the FISH-i Africa Task Force, where we have worked on over 30 investigations and are increasingly identifying common modus operandi as well as identifying the most effective means of disrupting the illegal operators.
Our work in the Western Indian Ocean, one of the world’s hot spots for illegal fishing, is showing that in- formation sharing and cooperation are effective means of increasing compliance in the fisheries sector.
In 2016, the UN FAO Port States Measures Agreement (PSMA) entered into force. While many of the key Af- rican port States are already party to the agreement, we look forward to seeing improved port State controls as implementation moves forward in 2017. Support for developing States will of course be crucial to the suc- cess of the Port States Measures Agreement, and Stop Illegal Fishing looks forward to providing support in this process.
We look forward to continuing the close collaboration with our partners in the region, and to continuing to provide a network of colleagues working together to fight illegal fishing in 2017.
Elsa Patria, Chairperson of Stop Illegal Fishing