The Silent Plunder and the Dawn of a New Maritime Era: Combating IUU Fishing Through Marine Spatial Planning
Mahak
St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi.
Key Highlights
- This article identifies IUU fishing as a three-pronged problem with devastating environmental, economic, and social impacts, besides undermining global fisheries.
- The growth of sustainable aquaculture provides a reliable seafood supply, thereby reducing pressure on wild fish stocks and diminishing the incentive for IUU fishing.
- Modern technologies, such as GIS and AI for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and the Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) advisory, detect, deter, and prosecute IUU fishing by enhancing traceability.
- The MRC’s UDA Framework utilises security, economic, environmental, and scientific insights that are crucial for combating IUU activities through tools such as Area, Production and Yield (APY) analysis and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The global maritime domain, a vast expanse of interconnected oceans and coastlines, is a crucial aspect of our planet’s blue economy. It provides food, livelihoods, and economic stability for millions. However, this vital resource is under constant threat from a pervasive and destructive force: Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. This clandestine activity is a severe form of maritime crime that depletes fish stocks, harms marine ecosystems and destroys the livelihoods of legitimate fishers. In the 21st century, with major powers increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific region, the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to maritime governance is more urgent than ever.
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Mahak
St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi.
Mahak interned at the Maritime Research Center in 2025. She has a keen interest in the intersections of environmental sustainability, technology and governance in the maritime domain. Drawing on her background in English studies, she translated specialised concepts into accessible, engaging insights for a broad audience, thereby bringing a fresh perspective.