Illegal Fishing Lesson 4 (Primary)
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Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Overfishing is emptying the ocean, illegal fishing is increasing and 90% of the fish populations are already overfished. In this lesson we will look at how illegal fishing vessels operate and the activities they undertake.
Instructions
During this lesson we will be focusing on the activities conducted by illegal fishing vessels.
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
Instructions
Worksheets
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
Introduction
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organisation with a mission to protect the ocean and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd operates globally on a range of issues impacting the ocean and is running numerous direct action campaigns each year. IUU is one area Sea Shepherd is working on in order to help stop illegal fishing and reduce by-catch.
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organisation with a mission to protect the ocean and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd operates globally on a range of issues impacting the ocean and is running numerous direct action campaigns each year. IUU is one area Sea Shepherd is working on in order to help stop illegal fishing and reduce by-catch.
Slide 2 - Slide
During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
During this lesson we will be focusing on the activities conducted by illegal fishing vessels.
INTERACTIVE JOIN – ask students to go to www.LessonUp.app
INTERACTIVE JOIN – ask students to go to www.LessonUp.app
Slide 4 - Video
Empty ocean by 2050
Scientists estimate that by 2050 the ocean ecosystem will be on the verge of collapse, empty of fish and marine wildlife, unless urgent action is taken on the issues impacting the ocean and marine wildlife.
Show this video (2.53min), which explains how important all species are to our planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcA31VRlRU
Discuss the video with the class.
Scientists estimate that by 2050 the ocean ecosystem will be on the verge of collapse, empty of fish and marine wildlife, unless urgent action is taken on the issues impacting the ocean and marine wildlife.
Show this video (2.53min), which explains how important all species are to our planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLcA31VRlRU
Discuss the video with the class.
Slide 5 - Slide
IUU Lessons
In IUU lessons 1 to 3 we discussed and learned that:
90% of fish populations have already been overfished. One of the reasons for this is overfishing.
It is estimated that over 100 million tonnes of fish are caught each year. Fish is the largest traded commodity in the world.
The United Nations estimates that 30% of the global fishing catch is considered to be from Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The amount varies by region from 15% to 40%.
In IUU lessons 1 to 3 we discussed and learned that:
90% of fish populations have already been overfished. One of the reasons for this is overfishing.
It is estimated that over 100 million tonnes of fish are caught each year. Fish is the largest traded commodity in the world.
The United Nations estimates that 30% of the global fishing catch is considered to be from Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The amount varies by region from 15% to 40%.
Slide 6 - Slide
IUU fishing
In previous lessons we discussed the meaning of IUU and learned that:
Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch. In basic terms they are stealing from these waters.
Unreported means that a fishing vessel may have a license with an allocated quota for fishing a particular species, such as tuna, but catches more than their quota states without reporting that catch. This can also be legally licensed fishing vessels that fail to declare the full amount of their by-catch. When vessels are inspected the information recorded in the fishing logbooks are compared against what is in the fish holds of the vessel.
Unregulated refers to areas where there may not be a quota or any regulations in place, either in that location or for the type of species. There are areas of the ocean that are not subject to any regulation. They aren’t controlled by a particular country or form part of any regulated zone. Fishing vessels can head to these areas knowing no one is likely to be patrolling or monitoring activity.
Regulating the fishing industry is a huge task, given the size of the ocean and the scale of commercial fishing operations. There are thousands of illegal fishing vessels out at sea catching marine wildlife.
In previous lessons we discussed the meaning of IUU and learned that:
Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch. In basic terms they are stealing from these waters.
Unreported means that a fishing vessel may have a license with an allocated quota for fishing a particular species, such as tuna, but catches more than their quota states without reporting that catch. This can also be legally licensed fishing vessels that fail to declare the full amount of their by-catch. When vessels are inspected the information recorded in the fishing logbooks are compared against what is in the fish holds of the vessel.
Unregulated refers to areas where there may not be a quota or any regulations in place, either in that location or for the type of species. There are areas of the ocean that are not subject to any regulation. They aren’t controlled by a particular country or form part of any regulated zone. Fishing vessels can head to these areas knowing no one is likely to be patrolling or monitoring activity.
Regulating the fishing industry is a huge task, given the size of the ocean and the scale of commercial fishing operations. There are thousands of illegal fishing vessels out at sea catching marine wildlife.
Slide 7 - Slide
Illegal activities
Illegal fishing fleets are plundering the ocean all around the world:
While taking their illegal catch these vessels carry out a number of illegal activities.
Illegal fishing fleets are plundering the ocean all around the world:
- Catching fish illegally, without a license.
- Taking fish outside of quota,
- High levels of by-catch.
While taking their illegal catch these vessels carry out a number of illegal activities.
Slide 8 - Slide
Keeping false logbooks
Fishing vessels are required to record their catch in a logbook.
Illegal operators will sometimes keep two sets of logbooks, one that shows legal catch where they have a license to fish, and a second set which is a true record of their catch.
The second logbook will be kept hidden in case of inspection by law enforcement.
Discuss what students think might be included in a fishing log?
Fishing vessels are required to record their catch in a logbook.
Illegal operators will sometimes keep two sets of logbooks, one that shows legal catch where they have a license to fish, and a second set which is a true record of their catch.
The second logbook will be kept hidden in case of inspection by law enforcement.
Discuss what students think might be included in a fishing log?
Slide 9 - Slide
Logbooks
Logbooks will show the following information to law enforcement officials:
Logbooks will show the following information to law enforcement officials:
- Actual catch numbers.
- Species being caught.
- When it has been fishing.
- How long the vessel has been operating illegally.
- Where it has been fishing illegally.
Slide 10 - Slide
Fishing methods
Illegal fishing vessels are likely to be using illegal or destructive fishing methods to ensure a bigger catch.
Review some of the methods covered in IUU Lesson 3. These include:
Driftnet refers to the setting of nets along the top of the ocean. A driftnet is not anchored to the bottom, instead it hangs vertically in the water attached to ropes along the ocean surface with buoys and weights along the bottom. These nets are used to target pelagic fish, which simply means fish that are not in coastal waters, reefs or on the seabed. These nets can be several kilometres under the surface and were banned in December 1991 by the UN.
Bottom trawling - This means the fishermen are dragging the nets along the seafloor scaping up everything in their path. This method brings up with them all life and the habitat, this includes corals and sponges along with the fish, jellyfish, starfish and anything else in their path. Any fish of reasonable size is sold separately the rest is called ‘trash fish’ and is sent to be turned into fishmeal which can be used for food in fish farms, like prawn farms. Bottom trawling is very destructive, wiping out habitat and ecosystem all in one go.
Fish Aggregating Device - These devices are designed to lure fish into an area to make it easier to fish. The device can attract multiple species of pelagic fish.
Illegal fishing vessels are likely to be using illegal or destructive fishing methods to ensure a bigger catch.
Review some of the methods covered in IUU Lesson 3. These include:
Driftnet refers to the setting of nets along the top of the ocean. A driftnet is not anchored to the bottom, instead it hangs vertically in the water attached to ropes along the ocean surface with buoys and weights along the bottom. These nets are used to target pelagic fish, which simply means fish that are not in coastal waters, reefs or on the seabed. These nets can be several kilometres under the surface and were banned in December 1991 by the UN.
Gillnets are walls of netting set in a straight line that are very effective at trapping fish. Using floats on the surface the length of the lines can be adjusted to set the nets at varying depths. They are usually set several kilometres below the surface and can be many kilometres long. They are used for deep living fish like toothfish. Laws on gillnets vary between countries.
Longlines are fishing lines that can run for up to 100 km with thousands of baited barbed hooks. They will catch everything that tries to go for the bait or any fish caught on the hooks. This includes sharks, seals or turtles These lines are also dangerous to sea birds, who will try to dive and take the bait from the hooks or fish caught on them.
Fish Aggregating Device - These devices are designed to lure fish into an area to make it easier to fish. The device can attract multiple species of pelagic fish.
Slide 11 - Slide
Fishing along borders of countries
Illegal vessels will conduct raids into a country’s waters to fish, and then disappear back into international waters or those of a neighboring country to evade law enforcement patrols.
Regional fisheries management organisations (RFMO) and regional cooperation are helping to tackle this issue. In south east Africa eight countries have formed FISH- I Africa to tackle these issues, this includes the Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania.
RFMO - These organisations are international bodies that help to regulate fishing.
Illegal vessels will conduct raids into a country’s waters to fish, and then disappear back into international waters or those of a neighboring country to evade law enforcement patrols.
Regional fisheries management organisations (RFMO) and regional cooperation are helping to tackle this issue. In south east Africa eight countries have formed FISH- I Africa to tackle these issues, this includes the Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania.
RFMO - These organisations are international bodies that help to regulate fishing.
Slide 12 - Slide
TRANSSHIPPING
Illegal operators use a number of methods to try and hide their catch and avoid detection by law enforcement authorities as they move between countries.
One way to hide the source of the fish is by using transshipping vessels. These are large refrigerated transport ships that the fishing catch can be transferred to at sea.
Transshipping vessels will receive fishing catches from a number of vessels before heading to port to offload. This provides an opportunity for the source of the catch to be hidden, as fishing catches are combined.
Transshipping vessels are also used to provide supplies and transfer crew to fishing vessels, so that these fishing vessels can stay at sea for long period of time without having to visit port.
Illegal operators use a number of methods to try and hide their catch and avoid detection by law enforcement authorities as they move between countries.
One way to hide the source of the fish is by using transshipping vessels. These are large refrigerated transport ships that the fishing catch can be transferred to at sea.
Transshipping vessels will receive fishing catches from a number of vessels before heading to port to offload. This provides an opportunity for the source of the catch to be hidden, as fishing catches are combined.
Transshipping vessels are also used to provide supplies and transfer crew to fishing vessels, so that these fishing vessels can stay at sea for long period of time without having to visit port.
Slide 13 - Slide
Hiding vessel ownership
Operators of a vessel will use complex company structures to try to hide the legal owners of the vessel.
Hiding the owners of the company reduces the ability of law enforcement to prosecute them for illegal activities.
Operators of a vessel will use complex company structures to try to hide the legal owners of the vessel.
Hiding the owners of the company reduces the ability of law enforcement to prosecute them for illegal activities.
Slide 14 - Slide
Changing names
Illegal vessels, particularly those that have previously been caught operating illegally, will use fake names and documentation.
Regularly changing a ships name makes it difficult to track a vessel that has previously been caught operating illegally.
Ships may change their name when they enter ports, simply by painting over the name on the side of a ship or creating new signs to hang over the official name.
Illegal vessels, particularly those that have previously been caught operating illegally, will use fake names and documentation.
Regularly changing a ships name makes it difficult to track a vessel that has previously been caught operating illegally.
Ships may change their name when they enter ports, simply by painting over the name on the side of a ship or creating new signs to hang over the official name.
Slide 15 - Slide
Country of registration
All vessels must be registered with a flagstate. This is referred to as their country of registration and they can fly the flag of the country. It is considered to be their home port and the vessel must comply with the laws of that country.
Vessels which are not registered are considered to be stateless, and are called ‘pirate vessels’. Pirate vessels have less protection at sea, they can be bordered by anyone.
If they have been caught operating illegally they may have their registration cancelled. This means the country that runs the shipping registry does not want to support illegal operators and has revoked their registration.
All vessels must be registered with a flagstate. This is referred to as their country of registration and they can fly the flag of the country. It is considered to be their home port and the vessel must comply with the laws of that country.
Vessels which are not registered are considered to be stateless, and are called ‘pirate vessels’. Pirate vessels have less protection at sea, they can be bordered by anyone.
If they have been caught operating illegally they may have their registration cancelled. This means the country that runs the shipping registry does not want to support illegal operators and has revoked their registration.
Slide 16 - Slide
Licensed to fish
To help hide their intentions illegal operators may apply for a license, so they can operate in a country’s waters, but then catch different species. The likely intended catch is sharks, particularly for their fins or shark livers for oil.
To help hide their intentions illegal operators may apply for a license, so they can operate in a country’s waters, but then catch different species. The likely intended catch is sharks, particularly for their fins or shark livers for oil.
Slide 17 - Slide
Abandoned, Lost and Discarded fishing gear
Illegal fishing vessels are big contributors to the issue of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear.
Fishing gear will be dumped overboard or left behind when a vessel tries to flee law enforcement patrols.
If they are using illegal fishing gear, then it may also be dumped before they go into port.
Ghost fishing gear is responsible for killing huge numbers of marine wildlife, which become entangled in the nets or fishing lines.
For more information see the lesson: Abandoned, Lost and Discarded fishing gear.
Illegal fishing vessels are big contributors to the issue of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear.
Fishing gear will be dumped overboard or left behind when a vessel tries to flee law enforcement patrols.
If they are using illegal fishing gear, then it may also be dumped before they go into port.
Ghost fishing gear is responsible for killing huge numbers of marine wildlife, which become entangled in the nets or fishing lines.
For more information see the lesson: Abandoned, Lost and Discarded fishing gear.
Slide 18 - Slide
Slavery and poor working conditions
Illegal fishing operators look to keep their costs low, to maximise their profits. One way they do this is by hiring cheap labour or tricking people into modern slavery.
Discuss with class what they think slavery means.
Illegal fishing operators look to keep their costs low, to maximise their profits. One way they do this is by hiring cheap labour or tricking people into modern slavery.
Discuss with class what they think slavery means.
Slide 19 - Slide
Slavery and poor working conditions
The fishing crews on illegal vessels are often from poor countries where wages are low – this including countries such as Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and African countries.
The crews are promised a wage if they sign up for a period of time, may be for 6 months or several years. Once on board the fishing vessel they may receive a low wage or no income at all.
These men want to support their families, hoping to send their money earned home.
The fishing crews on illegal vessels are often from poor countries where wages are low – this including countries such as Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and African countries.
The crews are promised a wage if they sign up for a period of time, may be for 6 months or several years. Once on board the fishing vessel they may receive a low wage or no income at all.
These men want to support their families, hoping to send their money earned home.
Slide 20 - Slide
Poor working conditions
Fishing crews work long days to bring in the catch.
The sleeping quarters are often cramped and dirty.
Fishing crews work long days to bring in the catch.
The sleeping quarters are often cramped and dirty.
Slide 21 - Slide
Trapped at sea
Fishing crews will have their passports taken from them, so they can’t leave, especially if they do go into a port.
Where transshipping is used the crews may not be able to leave as the ship stays at sea for years at a time. During this time they will have no contact with their families, who have no way of knowing if their loved ones are still alive.
Fishing crews will have their passports taken from them, so they can’t leave, especially if they do go into a port.
Where transshipping is used the crews may not be able to leave as the ship stays at sea for years at a time. During this time they will have no contact with their families, who have no way of knowing if their loved ones are still alive.
What do you think the impacts would be on
these men and their families?
Slide 22 - Open question
What are the impacts?
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“What do you think the impacts would be on these men and their families? “
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“What do you think the impacts would be on these men and their families? “
Slide 23 - Video
Interpol
One law enforcement agency that is helping to identify and tackle these issues is Interpol.
Interpol is an international police force involved in operations to monitor and coordinate the evidence required to arrest illegal operators, no matter where they are in the world.
Show the video (1.49 min) from Interpol that explains about the issue of illegal fishing and other crimes they commit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzJj10B6JVY&feature=youtu.be
Discuss the video with the class.
One law enforcement agency that is helping to identify and tackle these issues is Interpol.
Interpol is an international police force involved in operations to monitor and coordinate the evidence required to arrest illegal operators, no matter where they are in the world.
Show the video (1.49 min) from Interpol that explains about the issue of illegal fishing and other crimes they commit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzJj10B6JVY&feature=youtu.be
Discuss the video with the class.
Slide 24 - Slide
Impacts on artisanal fishing
One issue mentioned in the video is the impact on food security. Along the African coast many communities rely on the ocean for food and an income. Using small-scale fishing methods, often referred to as artisanal fishing.
Illegal fishing vessels have raided the waters of these countries, reducing fish numbers close to shore and impacting these communities.
One issue mentioned in the video is the impact on food security. Along the African coast many communities rely on the ocean for food and an income. Using small-scale fishing methods, often referred to as artisanal fishing.
Illegal fishing vessels have raided the waters of these countries, reducing fish numbers close to shore and impacting these communities.
Slide 25 - Video
Impacting coastal areas
Show the video (3.28 min) from Sea Shepherd’s Operation Gambian Coastal Defense, that shows illegal fishing and the impacts on coastal communities .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCmG5WS4DPo
Show the video (3.28 min) from Sea Shepherd’s Operation Gambian Coastal Defense, that shows illegal fishing and the impacts on coastal communities .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCmG5WS4DPo
Slide 26 - Slide
What can you do?
Tackling the issue of illegal fishing will help address some of these issues. We can help by reducing the demand for cheap fish. This will help to:
Tackling the issue of illegal fishing will help address some of these issues. We can help by reducing the demand for cheap fish. This will help to:
- Protect marine wildlife.
- Protect coastal communities.
- Reduce slavery.
- Reduce illegal fishing activity.
What crimes are illegal vessels committing?
Slide 27 - Open question
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“What crimes are illegal vessels committing?”
“What crimes are illegal vessels committing?”
- Fishing illegally without a license.
- Falsifying documentation.
- Creating fake logbooks.
- Enslaving crew.
- Using illegal fishing gear.
- Dumping fishing gear into the ocean.
Why is it important that a vessel is registered?
Slide 28 - Open question
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“Why is it important that a vessel is registered?”
“Why is it important that a vessel is registered?”
Write down three things you have learned?
Slide 29 - Open question
What did you learn?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Write down one thing you didn't understand?
Slide 30 - Open question
What don’t you understand?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Slide 31 - Slide
Sea Shepherd Case Studies cover a number of Sea Shepherd campaigns and show video of some of our work to stop IUU fishing activity, working with law enforcement officials around the world. These can be used to enhance the learning experience from these lessons.
Slide 32 - Slide
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