Illegal, unreported and unregu- lated (IUU) fishing is an acute problem globally, and, for Africa, it creates numerous struggles regarding the extraction of its natural resources.

IUU fishing is estimated to be worth between $4-billion and $9-billion a year, and sub-Saharan Africa suffers losses of up to $1-billion each year, which is particularly intensified for a few developing countries that are highly dependent on fisheries as a main revenue source and food mechanism.

“It is all about money, as fish sell for big money. A single bluefin tuna may sell for more than $100 000 on the Japanese sashimi market, and operators are cashing in on the vast profits to be made,” explains Nordenfjeldske Devel-opment Services operations director at the South African Institute of International Affairs for the UK Department for International Development’s IUU fishing project coordination team Per Erik Bergh.

He adds that IUU fishing substantially decreases the operating costs for vessel owners who avoid paying for licences, on-board observers, vessel monitoring systems (VMSs) or catch documentation systems.

Another reason why IUU fishing takes place is that its activities are facilitated by a number of shortcomings in national and international controls, including flags of convenience (FOC), insufficient monitoring, control and surveillance in exclusive economic zones and on the high seas, ports of convenience, and uncontrolled at-sea transshipments.

Bergh stresses the importance of good governance by adding that it goes hand in hand with good surveillance and procedures, the political will to enforce regulations, cooperation with neighbours on surveillance, the elimination of possibilities for IUU fishing activity, and active participation in regional and subregional fisheries agreements.

He notes that there are numerous IUU fishing issues that should be looked into, to allow good governance of Africa’s natural fishery resources.

“Ports should be close to IUU catches and vessels. The failure of flag States to effectively control the fishing operations of their vessels is generally perceived to be the core problem of IUU fishing. Control by port States should be enhanced,” he says.

Countries, he adds, should make a point of not licensing FOC vessels or vessels with an IUU fishing history, as it will increase deterrence and reduce options for IUU fishing operators.

He remarks that national blacklists should be issued, as FOCs are not only a threat to fisheries management but also undermine safety, labour laws and human rights. Severe punishment for IUU fishing creates a high level of deterrence, as it will influence compliance and reduce the cost of surveillance operations.

He continues that by allowing transshipments to take place at sea, a lower level of management authority is possible, and it facilitates IUU fishing as transshipments are used to mix legal and illegal fish, and therefore laundering of IUU fish filters into the market.

Bergh stresses the importance of implementing tamperproof VMSs and that centralised control and fines for IUU fishing must be increased.

“Countries should not allow crime to pay. In 2006, an IUU fishing vessel was arrested with a catch valued at $5-million and was given a mere $300 fine. No gear or catch was con- fiscated and the vessel was allowed to leave the port immediately after the fine was paid. No further action was taken to blacklist the vessel.

“It may be valuable to have fisheries and environmental legislation revised to ensure that crime does not pay. The use of ‘green or environmental’ courts may also be an option to ensure that the legal system is able to understand the crime,” he adds.

Another area, which, Bergh adds, should be enhanced, is the insurance of full traceability from vessel to point-of-sale to stop corruption in fisheries management.

He concludes that regional cooperation and information sharing should be developed as it is the way forward to increase surveillance efficiency and will promote a dedi- cated international image, attract more external funding than national programmes, and can reduce technical and administrative difficulties.