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Estimating the Worldwide Extent of Illegal Fishing

Author

Listed:
  • David J Agnew
  • John Pearce
  • Ganapathiraju Pramod
  • Tom Peatman
  • Reg Watson
  • John R Beddington
  • Tony J Pitcher

Abstract

Illegal and unreported fishing contributes to overexploitation of fish stocks and is a hindrance to the recovery of fish populations and ecosystems. This study is the first to undertake a world-wide analysis of illegal and unreported fishing. Reviewing the situation in 54 countries and on the high seas, we estimate that lower and upper estimates of the total value of current illegal and unreported fishing losses worldwide are between $10 bn and $23.5 bn annually, representing between 11 and 26 million tonnes. Our data are of sufficient resolution to detect regional differences in the level and trend of illegal fishing over the last 20 years, and we can report a significant correlation between governance and the level of illegal fishing. Developing countries are most at risk from illegal fishing, with total estimated catches in West Africa being 40% higher than reported catches. Such levels of exploitation severely hamper the sustainable management of marine ecosystems. Although there have been some successes in reducing the level of illegal fishing in some areas, these developments are relatively recent and follow growing international focus on the problem. This paper provides the baseline against which successful action to curb illegal fishing can be judged.

Suggested Citation

  • David J Agnew & John Pearce & Ganapathiraju Pramod & Tom Peatman & Reg Watson & John R Beddington & Tony J Pitcher, 2009. "Estimating the Worldwide Extent of Illegal Fishing," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(2), pages 1-8, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0004570
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004570
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Reg Watson & Daniel Pauly, 2001. "Systematic distortions in world fisheries catch trends," Nature, Nature, vol. 414(6863), pages 534-536, November.
    2. Bailey, Megan & Rotinsulu, Christovel & Sumaila, U. Rashid, 2008. "The migrant anchovy fishery in Kabui Bay, Raja Ampat, Indonesia: Catch, profitability, and income distribution," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 483-488, May.
    3. Daniel Pauly & Villy Christensen & Sylvie Guénette & Tony J. Pitcher & U. Rashid Sumaila & Carl J. Walters & R. Watson & Dirk Zeller, 2002. "Towards sustainability in world fisheries," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6898), pages 689-695, August.
    4. Ainsworth, C.H. & Pitcher, T.J. & Heymans, J.J. & Vasconcellos, M., 2008. "Reconstructing historical marine ecosystems using food web models: Northern British Columbia from Pre-European contact to present," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 216(3), pages 354-368.
    5. Sumaila, U.R. & Alder, J. & Keith, H., 2006. "Global scope and economics of illegal fishing," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(6), pages 696-703, November.
    6. Agnew, D. J., 2000. "The illegal and unregulated fishery for toothfish in the Southern Ocean, and the CCAMLR catch documentation scheme," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 361-374, September.
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    1. Alf Ring Kleiven & Esben Moland Olsen & Jon Helge Vølstad, 2012. "Total Catch of a Red-Listed Marine Species Is an Order of Magnitude Higher than Official Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(2), pages 1-7, February.

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