Global Experts Convene at UNH to Discuss Illegal Fishing

On a bright Tuesday afternoon, the Pavilion at the Judd Gregg Marine Research Complex at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) was the meeting place for a crucial global issue: combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The symposium brought together a diverse group of participants from various industries and government sectors, including heads of fisher's unions, military and police officers, and environmental protection and regulatory officers. These international delegates were joined by Erik Chapman, director of New Hampshire Sea Grant and host of the session; Gabriela Bradt, fisheries specialist at UNH; Easton White, assistant professor of biological sciences; and Erik Anderson, president of the NH Commercial Fishermen's Association. The session focused on the delegates' experiences and strategies to combat illegal fishing in their respective countries, emphasizing the importance of sustainable fisheries management and international cooperation.

The afternoon session was part of a larger symposium dedicated to marine research and conservation, featuring international delegates from six African countries - many located along the Gulf of Guinea - who gathered to address the severe impacts of IUU fishing. This illegal practice not only threatens marine biodiversity but also devastates the livelihoods of local communities in West Africa, exacerbating poverty and driving emigration.

Illegal fishing is a global issue. However, at the local level, it primarily impacts the dealers who purchase catches from fishers and sell within the U.S. Bradt explained that dealers are required by law in the U.S. to report all their transactions accurately. If fishers fail to report correctly, whether intentionally or not, it can create problems for these dealers because they too can be held accountable.

"Tracking this is challenging," she noted, "since it relies on everyone in the supply chain complying with reporting requirements."

Bradt highlighted the difficulty of monitoring seafood imports from countries with less stringent regulations. "IUU fishing isn't seen as an immediate threat by the NH fishing industry, but it certainly concerns the dealers, who face significant repercussions if there's any misreporting or fraudulent permits. The real impact on the industry is hard to gauge without concrete data, however, the US is working with other countries by implementing reporting and recordkeeping requirements for imports to prevent IUU seafood from getting into the US and similar strategies within the US."

Discussions at the symposium highlighted the role of regulation and environmental impacts in shaping fisheries' future locally and internationally. The exchange of ideas and experiences provided valuable insights into how New Hampshire's local challenges mirror those faced by international communities. Key topics included the enforcement of fishing regulations, sustainable management practices, and the need for better interagency coordination to tackle IUU fishing effectively.

According to White, better datasets that track vessel activity are essential to fully understand the scale and scope of illegal fishing around the world.

"We need more work in this space, especially in developing countries," he added.

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