Increasing International Fisheries Transparency Archives

Identifying EU nationals who profit from foreign illegal fishing activities: the importance of beneficial ownership transparency

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a threat to fish stocks, coastal communities and those fishing legally. It also generates significant profits for those who orchestrate systematic and deliberate IUU fishing activities. Being able to identify who profits from fishing activities, in particular those who ultimately own or control a vessel, the “beneficial owner,” … Read more

Open letter: EU industry and NGOs call for sustained European Commission action to keep Thai fisheries safe, legal and sustainable

Enhancing vessel identification in GFCM

Since 2013, when fishing vessels became eligible to apply for International Maritime Organisation (IMO) numbers, these seven-digit identifiers have gained global recognition as an invaluable tool for vessel identification. Unlike call signs, names, flags, or other registration numbers, IMO numbers remain consistent and permanent throughout a vessel’s lifecycle, from construction to dismantling. They need to … Read more

The need for more transparency on ultimate ownership for the GFCM fishing fleet

In this briefing, we present an analysis of the available information on the ultimate ownership of vessels fishing in the GFCM Convention area. We highlight best practices from other RFMOs that disclose beneficial ownership information within their authorized vessel lists. Based on those assessments, we offer recommendations to improve transparency in the GFCM and facilitate … Read more

Call for the Compliance Committee of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean to increase transparency and effectively tackle non-compliance cases and IUU fishing

Ahead of the 17th session of the Compliance Committee (CoC) of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in Rome, Italy, ClientEarth, Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Nature Conservancy and WWF, who work together to protect the Mediterranean Sea against the impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, are … Read more

Who is profiting from illegal fishing? Unveiling ownership of fishing vessels is critical to save the ocean

Illegal fishing is depleting the ocean, and it takes place because it is a profitable business. To effectively address this problem, it is not enough to sanction a fishing vessel or putting a fine on its captain, we must target the economic incentives that fuel such activities. These are businesses that ultimately profit from illegal … Read more

Spain sanctions 25 fishing vessels for disabling tracking devices following Oceana investigation

Oceana’s report shows that sanctioned vessels repeatedly switched off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) while fishing The Spanish Directorate-General for Merchant Shipping has issued fines of up to €60,000 per vessel following a review of Oceana’s investigation The Spanish government has sanctioned 25 Spanish-flagged fishing vessels for turning off their tracking devices while fishing off … Read more

NGOs Call for Urgent Action: Conservation Measures Vital for Protection of Mediterranean Fisheries and Ecosystems

New Measures Would Allow Authorities to tackle non-compliance and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing As officials from Mediterranean countries gather this week for the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) annual session in Croatia, NGOs are urging the adoption of a system of corrective measures that would allow the GFCM to tackle illegal, … Read more

Call for the GFCM to increase transparency and effectively tackle non-compliance cases and IUU fishing

Ahead of the forty-sixth session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in Split, Croatia Oceana, together with Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, ClientEarth, Environmental Justice Foundation, MedReAct, Pew Charitable Trust, and WWF, who work together to protect the Mediterranean Sea against the impacts of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, are calling on … Read more

EU Requires Tracking Systems for All Its Fishing Vessels

The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council agreed a new law that requires all European Union (EU) fishing vessels, including 49,000 small-scale vessels, to install and use tracking systems by 2030 at the latest. Tracking systems have numerous benefits for the ocean, including promoting sustainable fisheries by increasing transparency about fishing activities. Simultaneously, … Read more