A New Seafood Import Policy for Nations to Combat Illegal Fishing

Abstract

The environmental and social sustainability of seafood is jeopardized by rampant illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Regulations implemented by fishing countries and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations are insufficient to combat illegal fishing; complementary efforts from the consumer end of the supply chain are essential. Despite the growing reliance on imported seafood globally, only three market states have implemented legislation to regulate the legality of seafood products from other countries. We provide an overview of existing import regulations to address widespread confusion about the structure and scope of these measures. We propose eight key design criteria for more effective seafood import controls, emphasizing the need for a centralized, fully electronic catch documentation scheme with automated fraud checks and a broad scope of species covered. Broad adoption of import controls across more countries can collectively enhance global efforts to curb illegal seafood trade. Countries developing new seafood import policies, such as Australia, have the opportunity to design a world-leading system that encourages multilateral cooperation to help combat illegal fishing. Through the implementation of import regulations that address key flaws in existing frameworks, consumer countries can foster a more cohesive and effective front against illegally sourced seafood, improving the sustainability of global fisheries.