The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy Maritime Domain Awareness Programme (MDAP) and Global Fishing Watch have signed an information sharing letter of intent (LoI) to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
UK government, Global Fishing Watch and the Joint Analytical Cell (JAC) already work closely together to tackle IUU fishing through a pilot project in the Philippines that’s funded by the UK government’s Integrated Security Fund. The LoI, which is focussed primarily on IUU, builds on this cooperation and will enable the Royal Navy MDAP and Global Fishing Watch to share information, data and technical advice on maritime activity.
By sharing information, the intention is to improve understanding, assessment of risk, and enable pre-emptive action to avert maritime incidents.
UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West said: “Effective fisheries management is essential to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. It protects ocean ecosystems, supporting vulnerable coastal communities, resilient global food supplies and regional prosperity. This partnership between the Royal Navy and Global Fishing Watch underscores the UK’s on-going commitment to security, prosperity and sustainable economic development in the Indo-Pacific.
Global Fishing Watch CEO Tony Long confirmed the organisation and the Royal Navy have agreed to share information, data and technical expertise on what’s happening at sea.
“In doing this, we are advancing efforts to build a global maritime database that can improve the overall understanding of maritime domain awareness and enhance our collective ability to assess threats and identify risks, including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This increased awareness can help prevent and address potential incidents before they occur.
“We believe open data and increased transparency hold the key to better ocean stewardship. By using Automatic Identification System (AIS), Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), satellite, and other data, we are increasing awareness of ocean activity, including identifying patterns of IUU fishing, through our online map. This is helping governments, businesses and NGOs develop a fuller understanding of high-risk areas and tailor policies and regulations that support local economies, safeguard marine habitats, and combat IUU fishing for the good of all.”
At the UN Oceans Conference in 2022, the UK co-launched the IUU Fishing Action Alliance Pledge with the US and Canada to drive international efforts to tackle IUU fishing along with other international government and non-government partners.
The UN estimates one in every five fish caught internationally originate from IUU fishing.
