Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Archives

Oceana exposes complex ownership structures behind illegal fishing and demands transparency at Our Ocean

The organisation urges governments to collect and make public beneficial ownership information for all fishing vessels Shell companies, opaque financial tools and flags of convenience are some of the strategies used to conceal the identity of fishing vessel owners In a new analysis, Oceana exposes the complexity of hidden ownership structures behind fishing vessels. The results reveal how individuals behind illegal fishing operations deliberately conceal their identities through complex corporate … Read more

Foreign beneficial ownership of fishing vessels in Africa

A vessel’s flag indicates where it is registered, but does not reveal who ultimately owns it, profits from its activities, or is responsible for its actions. True accountability depends on identifying beneficial owners, the individuals who ultimately own, control, and profit from a fishing vessel. Without this information, authorities struggle to enforce laws and hold … Read more

Hidden owners, hidden crimes: why beneficial ownership transparency matters for fisheries enforcement

Fisheries are central to the socio-economic stability of coastal communities, supporting livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage worldwide. These benefits, however, are undermined by illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) describes as “one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems”. Beyond depleting marine resources, … Read more

Oceana welcomes proposal to ban seafood imports caught by Russian vessels

Yesterday, the European Commission proposed its 21st sanctions package against Russia, which will finally address one of the last major unsanctioned sectors: fisheries. The European Commission proposes a complete ban on cod and substantial restrictions on imports of certain fish products from Russia. Oceana has been calling for a ban on Russian-caught seafood since 2022. If adopted by Member States, this sanctions package will finally prevent Russian seafood from reaching European plates and stop European companies from importing and profiting from it. Even if EU rules require that fresh and frozen seafood products indicate the … Read more

Oceana calls on Cypriot government to disclose hidden ownership of high‑risk fishing vessels

The organisation found links between Cypriot-owned vessels and jurisdictions associated with lax regulations Holding the EU Council Presidency, Cyprus has an opportunity to turn political commitments into practical measures and strengthen the EU’s credibility in tackling illegal fishing Oceana calls on the Cypriot government to collect information on Cypriot companies that own fishing vessels in non-EU countries to close … Read more

ClientEarth and Oceana take Spain’s inaction over illegal fishing threat in West Africa to Supreme Court

ClientEarth and Oceana have appealed before Spain’s Supreme Court after authorities declined to investigate Spanish vessels suspected of illegal fishing in West African waters. The case, now being appealed from the Superior Court of Madrid, focuses on vessels owned by Spanish companies but operating under foreign flags in the waters of Senegal and Guinea Bissau. … Read more

Flags of convenience: a threat to fisheries transparency

As one of the world’s biggest importers of seafood products, the European Union has become a global leader in the efforts to combat illegal fishing. Yet an important gap remains unaddressed by European authorities. EU citizens and companies own fishing vessels that operate under non-EU flags, including Flags of Convenience (FoC). These are issued by states with weak fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance mechanisms. What are flags … Read more

Labelling assessment and molecular authentication of squid-based products from two major European cities

Highlights Abstract This study provides the first assessment of labelling compliance and species authenticity of squid-based products sold in two major EU cities, Brussels and Milan. A total of 198 products were collected from supermarkets, fishmongers and the food service sector. They were analysed through label evaluation and molecular authentication using DNA barcoding (mono-species samples) … Read more

NGOs urge the European Commission to end the use of ‘flags of convenience’ in fisheries

New European Commission study reveals how secret vessel ownership undermines the fight against illegal fishing Each fishing vessel must be registered in a country, and ‘flies its flag’. A new study by the European Commission confirms that EU fishing companies flag their vessels to countries with minimal disclosure requirements on vessel information and beneficial ownership structures, making them ideal for concealing illegal and unsustainable fishing activities. This practice is closely … Read more

EU-owned vessels using flags of convenience and tax havens can undermine fight against illegal fishing, new Oceana analysis warns

The organisation urges the EU to track European owners of fishing vessels flagged to high-risk countries Spanish, Portuguese, and Lithuanian operators account for the highest numbers of EU owners operating under high-risk flags Oceana warns in its new analysis that at least 105 large scale fishing vessels owned by EU citizens or companies are operating under flags of convenience, tax havens, or countries facing EU warnings for failing to tackle illegal fishing. The … Read more