New research, just out in the journal Science Advances offers an encouraging framework to help fight illegal fishing practices. An alarming loophole Researchers point to a serious and alarming gap in oversight of domestic fishing fleets at ports. Elizabeth Selig, the managing director of the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, led the new study. It compared this data against non-targeted satellite data from Global Fishing Watch with the aim of highlighting key trends in port visits and tracking compliance with the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA). This agreement specifically addresses illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It entered into force in 2016 and now has 84 Parties, including the European Union.
This research uncovers some alarming findings. They point to a growing need for more thorough inspections of US maritime vessels. Article 20 of the PSMA stipulates that inspections of domestic fishing vessels should be as rigorous as those applied to foreign vessels. As more and more domestic vessels call on foreign ports, the enforcement and compliance ramifications are significant.
Key Findings from the Study
Unexpectedly, our subsequent analysis revealed a dramatic rise in port visits. Vessels that switched flags saw a 30% increase in port calls between PSMA Parties since the agreement came into force. Without question, some vessels are seeking refuge from more stringent regulatory environments. We call it downward reflagging, where they’re switching flags to countries that are known to have weaker enforcement. In 2021, domestic vessels made up 66% of all vessel port calls worldwide—a notable increase from 45% in 2015. These numbers highlight the immediate need to monitor domestic fleets, as they frequently contribute to illegal fishing.
One key insight from the study was that fishing vessels endured disproportionately longer voyages. Over 2016–2021, they needed to travel almost twice as far to get to non-PSMA nations. This large change is indicative of the larger pattern of operators willing to flee to the regulatory wilderness. This trend will only worsen the prevalence of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The percentage of these estimated catches being landed directly at domestic ports jumped more than 15% from just 31% in 2016 to 46% in 2021! This staggering increase makes clear the desperate need for greater oversight.
Today’s podcast, with the study’s co-authors Jim Leape and Colette Wabnitz. Jim Leape is senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University and Colette Wabnitz is lead scientist, Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University. Collectively, they reflect a growing recognition of the need to strengthen port state capacities to enforce compliance with PSMA requirements.
Addressing the Financial Impact
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing undermines developing economies worldwide. Each year, it sends billions of dollars in taxable revenue to illegal markets. The PSMA is currently working to minimize these losses, including through legislative efforts. It offers a new, vital framework for countries to work together in monitoring and enforcing regulations on both domestic and foreign vessels. Yet successful implementation will only be realized through focused capacity-building efforts that are aimed at strengthening the human, technical, and financial capacities of port states.
The researchers stress that port authorities require sufficient resources and training. Without these, we cannot hope to win the fight against IUU fishing. As domestic fleets start to proliferate and move around with more independence, the risk of complacent surveillance will be greater than ever. By ensuring that inspections are as rigorous for domestic vessels as they are for foreign ones, countries can better protect their fisheries and marine resources.
The Path Forward
The study’s findings suggest that enhancing monitoring systems and strengthening regulations at ports could significantly reduce instances of illegal fishing. As Elizabeth Selig notes, “Increased scrutiny of domestic fleets can deter illegal activities and help safeguard our ocean resources.” Now marine conservationists are more aligned than ever with that faith. Primary focus on anti-IUU efforts, including the urgent need for comprehensive risk-based management strategies for domestic and foreign fleets.
To make these goals a reality, state and local stakeholders need to work together to create clear frameworks that further effective enforcement and compliance. That means more coordinated data-sharing and best practice development among PSMA Parties as well as investing in capacity-building programs for port authorities. These types of partnerships would help us to fish more sustainably while creating a healthier environment and marine ecosystem.