MRAG have extensive project experience on both the theoretical and practical aspects of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.  In 2009, MRAG along with the University of British Columbia produced the first global estimate of the level of IUU fishing[1].  This  study estimated that the lower and upper estimates of the total value of current illegal and unreported fishing losses worldwide are between $10 bn and $23.5 bn annually, representing between 11 and 26 million tonnes and provided regional differences and showed relationships between governance indices and the level of illegal fishing.  The COBECOS (Costs and Benefits of Control and Operating Strategies) project provides another example of theoretical research into IUU fishing, where a bio-economic modelling approach was applied to a number of case studies.  In this way the optimal level of various control measures can be optimised for a proposed set of scenarios and advise control authorities on the levels of control they need to employ to reduce IUU.

On the more practical implementation side MRAG have advised a number of organisations in developing policy related to IUU.  These include the development of risk assessment methodologies, analysis of the performance and applicability of whitelists (authorised) and blacklists (illegal) by regional fisheries management authorities and port state measures.  These more practical implementations typically including desk-based research, internet based discussion for a, running workshops and the production of policy guidance documents.  MRAG have also assisted the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration in the development of reporting mechanisms for IUU that are now in place for all Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Members that allow the Members to report vessels that have been found to have committed IUU.

 

[1] Agnew DJ, Pearce J, Pramod G, Peatman T, Watson R, et al. (2009) Estimating the Worldwide Extent of Illegal Fishing. http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0004570

Projects

Title Region End Date
African Capacity Building Training Event - South Africa

On behalf of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), and in accordance with the…

Africa
An analysis of the UK fish market and composition and identification of the key supply chain/players.

The objective of this study was to conduct a UK market study of tuna (canned sector)…

Global
Bahamas IUU Risk Assessment

WWF is working with fishery stakeholders on a fishery improvement project (FIP) for…

Atlantic Ocean
MRAG Project COBECOS - costs and benefits of control strategies

The primary objective of the COBECOS project was to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of…

Europe
Design, testing and promotion of models generating national economic benefits through the control of foreign fishing

The purpose of the project was to improve local capacity within national agencies and…

Africa
MRAG Project Developing Policy Recommendations on the exclusion of Illegal Fishery Products from Supply Chains in UK

The overall objective of the study was to contribute to developing a range practical…

Europe
EU fisheries management data flows Dockside Monitoring and Seafood Traceability in the EU

This project reviewed the processes of dockside monitoring of seafood landings in EU…

Asia
Establishment of a Programme for Transhipment by Large-Scale Vessels in the Convention Area of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)

The long-term objective of the Programme for Transhipment by Large-Scale Fishing…

Indian Ocean
Global IUU monitoring network and UK IUU Action Plan

A workshop was organised on IUU monitoring methodologies in November 2006 to discuss…

Europe
MRAG Project House of Commons IUU Media Event

A media event held at the House of Commons on 30 April 2007 to promote issues…

Europe
Map UK NEAFC Registerd Ports IUU Documentation and Controls

This project was completed by MRAG Ltd and RPA Ltd under Lot 6: Marine and Fisheries R…

Europe
MRAG Project IUU Fishing Risk Management in the Central and Western Pacific

The objective of the Consultancy project was to brief participants at the FFA's IUU…

Pacific
Practical implementation of the Chairperson’s Draft Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

During the development of the FAO Port State Meaures Agreement (PSMA) MRAG were…

Global
Provision of a study on information systems supporting fisheries controls in the European Union (CFCA/2010/B/02)

This project contributes to the formulation of recommendations on best practices and…

Europe
MRAG Project Research into the problems of illegal fishing in SE Asia

This project was a joint venture between the governments of Australia and Indonesia to…

Asia
Review of Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on Developing Countries in Asia

A study of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) was conducted across all maritime…

Asia
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Fisheries Management.

The work undertaken by MRAG for Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich…

Atlantic Ocean
MRAG Project Study and analysis of the IUU fishing situation in the SADC region and an estimate of the economic, social and biological impact of this situation

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a global issue with many harmful…

Africa
Supporting Liberia and Sierra Leone’s Fishery Management Improvement

The objective of this project was to provide technical assistance for the World Bank…

Africa
Technical Recommendations to Improve the EU IUU Regulation Catch Certificate System

A coalition of NGO’s (The Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, The Pew Charitable…

Europe
MRAG Project Tracking IUU product to UK markets

This product aimed analyse the potential amount of IUU product making its way into the…

Europe
Market - Dar es Salaam Tuna Fisheries Management Plan

The development of this 10-year Tuna Fisheries Management Plan (TFMP), follows the FAO…

Africa
US and EU Rules on Seafood Traceability and Anti-IUU Market Measures

The goal of this study was to evaluate, compare and analyze the structures and…

Global
Using White-, Gray- and Blacklists to combat IUU fishing

The European Commission was at this time working on the draft proposal for the IUU…

Europe
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for British Indian Ocean Territories (BIOT)

On behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) MRAG has aided in the…

Indian Ocean