Combating Illegal Fishing to Strengthen Maritime Security and Environmental Sustainability
In this article, Tetra Tech’s John Parks and Dr. Gina Green and University of Connecticut’s Dr. Robert S. Pomeroy examine the damaging environmental and security-related effects of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Southeast Asia’s fisheries. Through the U.S. Agency for International Development Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans), Tetra Tech is helping exporting countries in the region adopt the use of electronic catch and documentation and traceability (eCDT) systems to collect real-time, accurate and verifiable information at all points along the seafood supply chain. This data provides information about seafood products that is transmitted to online data exchange services via satellite, cellular, or radio frequency technologies. Combining this data with strong maritime security and port control measures limit the amount of IUU fish in the supply chain, thereby reducing revenues for illegal operators who are not fishing sustainably.
USAID Oceans works with national and local governments, the fishing industry, private sector actors, regional organizations, and fishery stakeholders throughout Southeast Asia to encourage adoption and use of eCDT systems. The authors also discuss how eCDT systems are a proven method to increase awareness and understanding of the environmental and security risks posed by IUU activities in the region. USAID Oceans is engaging with the Pacific Environmental Security Forum of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command to discuss how eCDT data can be used to enhance national-level security.
- Author
- John Parks, Gina Green, et al.
- Date
- March 1, 2019
- Publication
- National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office’s Technical Bulletin