IUU and the law (Secondary) - Lesson Five

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 7th,8th Grade

Introduction

Lesson Five – Laws to protect the ocean This lesson discusses the ways to protect the ocean from IUU, such as marine protected areas, regulation of fishing and monitoring. Learning activities:  Discuss how fishing vessels are inspected.  Research the ways in which countries can work together via Interpol or regional cooperation.

Instructions

Time: 45 minutes

Contact: [e-mail]
© Sea Shepherd 2022

Lesson 5 - Laws to protect against IUU activity

This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd.  Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife.  Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. 

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What measures are in place to
protect against IUU fishing activity?

We have discussed what IUU is, how it impacts food chains, the potential impacts for consumers and the human rights issues around slavery, but what is being done to stop IUU activity?
Ask students: “What measures do you think are being taken to reduce IUU activity?”

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Marine protected areas

Let’s look at some of the framework in place to help manage fishing and to stop overfishing in specific areas.
The first is the establishment of marine protected areas or marine reserves.  In these areas fishing is either completed banned or heavily restricted. These are often areas where fish nurseries are located, like mangroves.  By protecting breeding areas, it helps to secure the future of species, ensuring they can reproduce and grow to health populations.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Fishing licenses

The main way countries regulate fishing is by setting up laws to guide catch limits for each species, including specifying what areas of their waters fishing is permitted. These licensing systems apply to commercial fishing operations, but also may include provisions for recreational fishing.  
Licensing allows law enforcement authorities to inspect catches and impose penalties for those that do not adhere.
To adequately protect marine species these licenses must ensure catch limits do not deplete fish numbers.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Trade laws & CITES

We previously discussed the illegal fishing industry which operates outside of the licensing system. To stop the catch being sold it requires regulations that cross country borders.
One such system is CITES, which is the convention for internal trade in endangered species. Members of CITES agree on which species will not be traded and agree to prohibit the import/export of these products in their countries.
This only applies to species listed by CITES that are endangered.   For example, all whale species are listed but not all endangered shark species.

Illegal Fishing

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.

They are stealing from these waters.

COOPERATION BETWEEN COUNTRIES

• Regional fisheries management organisations - RFMO
• Reginal cooperation
• Interpol

Given that illegal fishing vessels move between international waters and those of sovereign countries, the only way to track their activities and pursue criminal charges is through international cooperation.
This is done via several means:
    RFMO – Regional fisheries management organisations, where countries create a coordinated response.
    Regional cooperation – via formal groups where resources and information is exchanged to tackle the issue of illegal fishing on a regional basis.
    Interpol – which is an international police organisation, facilitating worldwide police cooperation.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Monitoring

While laws provide the framework to tackle illegal fishing, one of the most effective ways to deter or detect illegal fishing is by patrolling territorial waters and inspecting vessels.
Law enforcement authorities can search vessels and check their catch to ensure they are complying with their license provisions.

This video (1.49 min) from Interpol shows some of the areas they focus on and the issues occurring:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzJj10B6JVY

This video (5.32min) from Sea Shepherd’s Operation Jodari shows the process for boarding and inspecting a suspected illegal vessel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqa7ZszwQNg&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDkZfN2nz9qqd8bVVLOGkkl&index=3

www.seashepherdglobal.org

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LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Refer Lesson Guide for activity suggestions.