Webs of exploitation and opportunism: Tiger trafficking and crime convergence between Malaysian and Vietnam

Abstract

There is increasing awareness of the interconnectedness of wildlife crime with other crime types, and how wildlife crime and biodiversity loss impacts human health and well-being. We present a case study where a complex of fisheries degradation and migrant worker exploitation helped fuel the transnational smuggling of people and wildlife between Malaysia and Vietnam. Poaching and trafficking for body parts is the leading cause of tiger population decline globally. In Malaysia, the tiger has declined to under 200 individuals with poaching by Vietnamese teams a major threat. While there have been demonstrable improvements in tiger protection in recent years, the threat persists. Here we examined the nature of one potential tiger smuggling route from Malaysia to Vietnam via fishing boats, by interviewing 53 people with knowledge of boat operations and trade in wildlife. We used interview responses to identify key themes regarding the tiger smuggling process, identify key roles and places involved, and examine areas of convergence with other crime types. Worker exploitation crimes, in the form of indentured labour and debt bondage by employers in Malaysia were frequently described as a driver for Vietnamese migrant workers in Malaysia both to enter the illegal wildlife trade, and to travel illegally by fishing vessel to Vietnam, and the same tactics were described employed by tiger trafficking network managers to control specialist poachers brought from Vietnam. In line with previous studies, interviewees reported instances of forced labour and child labour on fishing vessels conducting illegal fishing in Malaysian territorial waters, and illegally transporting people and wildlife products. This study highlights the cascading benefits to be gained in both high-value species conservation and human well-being, by implementing structural improvements to governance in fisheries and migrant worker sectors.