Improving Compliance in Asian Distant Water Fishing Fleets

TMT

TMT contributes to the reduction of illegal fisheries and associated crimes by providing partner countries and international organisations with fisheries intelligence and analysis, building their capacity to analyse and act effectively on such information, and facilitating cooperation between countries and other relevant organisations at the regional and international level.

This is achieved through a combination of close cooperation, information sharing and capacity building with government agencies, international bodies, and NGOs; through active fisheries intelligence gathering and analysis; and the development of tools that assist in the capture and analysis of information on fisheries crimes. TMT operations focus primarily on supporting activities in developing coastal, port and flag States in Africa where capacity and resources are extremely limited, yet where levels and impacts of illegal fishing are some of the highest globally.

Most industrial fishing vessels operating in African waters originate in Asia. Many are flagged to their origin State, but increasingly vessels beneficially owned in Asian countries are flagged elsewhere, including in African States themselves. Often there is also a lack of available information regarding vessel identity and compliance histories, ownership, and fishing operations, as well as language barriers and the absence of key relationships with Asian governments. This creates a significant fisheries control challenge for authorities in Africa.

Funding from the Levine Family Foundation supports the development and strengthening of communications and cooperation between Asian fisheries authorities and operators with African coastal State authorities; the generation of high quality fisheries intelligence on Asian flagged or owned fleets; and enables TMT to support organisations helping Asian governments towards becoming more responsible fishing nations.

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