But concerns over the future of our fishing industry pale when compared to the ravaging of global fish stocks by illegal fishing. With 34.2% of global fish stocks fully over-exploited, illegal fishing – worth an estimated $23.5 billion – is now a vast criminal enterprise, accounting for up to 26 million tonnes of fish every year. The European Commission needs to get tough on pirate fishing. IUU fishing is recognised as a major threat to the long-term sustainability of the world’s oceans. IUU fishing is often connected to transnational crime, including human rights abuse, tax evasion, piracy, drugs, and arms and human trafficking.

Source: The Herald June 27, 2020 10:30 UTC