Up to 25 million tons of fish are estimated to be lost globally each year to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activity, known as IUU fishing. According to some officials, IUU fishing is now replacing piracy as the world’s top maritime security threat, undermining efforts to manage fish stocks sustainably, creating unfair competition for those who do follow conservation rules, and threatening food security and economic stability for many coastal communities worldwide.

The global battle against illicit fishing. (2021, October 22). Daily Guardian, p. 10.