Framework for managing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in ASEAN

Abstract

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing account for some USD6 billion of fish catch a year and thus bring significant losses to the economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) fishing nations. In this paper, a framework incorporating economics, social and institutional drivers for addressing IUU fishing is presented. The economic rents from fishing are among the main drivers contributing to IUU fishing. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), and regional bodies plan of action (RPOA) are examined for effectiveness in reducing IUU fishing. Approaches for reducing the economic rent or profit from IUU fishing are developed, and directions for reducing IUU fishing through the RPOA are suggested. The suggestions include improved registration of fishing vessels, preventing entry of illegal fish products and most importantly, developing co-management of fisheries and improving monitoring at landing sites. In addition, governments in ASEAN countries must work in tandem with the stakeholders involved such as fishers, fisher agencies or associations to exchange information for reducing IUU fishing.