Annual Report

Stop Illegal Fishing Annual Report 2017

The urgent need to act to end illegal fishing has been highlighted by the inclusion of the target to end IUU fishing by 2020 as a key element of Sustainable Development Goal number 14 that concerns life under water. The timing of the deadline reflects the serious and long-term consequences of illegal fishing, which damages the ocean environment, endangers species, undermines the sustainable management of fisheries and contributes to poverty and hunger in the developing world.

2017 marks the tenth anniversary of Stop Illegal Fishing, in this time we have made a substantial contribution to efforts to end illegal fishing, through developing strong networks and partnerships, providing support to policy change, developing evidence based resources, and offering practical on the ground support to frontline enforcement officers.

Through supporting the establishment of the two regional task forces of coastal States, FISH-i Africa and the West Africa Task Force, we have demonstrated an effective and low cost model for identifying and deterring illegal fishing. Recognition of the success of FISH-i has continued this year and we were very proud to be awarded the 2017 Seafood Champion Award for Innovation, for sharing information and taking collective enforcement action to combat large-scale illegal fishing.

We have also been able to share the story of FISH-i and support the establishment of similar task forces in other regions.

This year we have seen new solutions to stop illegal fishing coming out of FISH-i, a result of our analysis of the substantial evidence compiled from over 35 investigations. The common theme has been the illegality that is linked directly to the fishing vessel, whether through document forgery or identity fraud. If we can rout out these vessels, through our planned programme of VIGILANCE, the systematic checking of fishing vessels that are active in the Western Indian Ocean, we will make real and significant progress.

FISH-i began life as an informal network of fisheries enforcement officers, it is gratifying that the Southern African Development Community are now looking to incorporate FISH-i into their Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre. Not only will this ensure the sustainability of the tools, mechanisms and processes developed by FISH-i, it will also provide a new authority and see the expansion of the task force to more coastal countries and the model and lessons can be shared where applicable to tackle illegal fishing in inland waters.

We look forward to the year ahead with a real sense of excitement as the growing interest in the work of Stop Illegal Fishing is resulting in continuing support from our longstanding partners and additional support from new partners. In 2018, we will begin projects to support the implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement and work to improve communication and information exchange with the major distant water flag States.

We welcome your interest in our activities, we have used this Annual Report to focus on the key approaches and elements of our work and include links to reports and publications that will provide you with further insight into the issues we work and deal with. n

Elsa Patria, Chairperson of Stop Illegal Fishing