Research into the problems of illegal fishing in SE Asia

This project was a joint venture between the governments of Australia and Indonesia to examine the problem of illegal foreign fishing in waters between Australia and Indonesia (i.e. the areas of mutual interest such as the Arafura and Timor Seas, but not including locations such as Indonesia’s northern or Australia’s southern oceans), including:

• the nature and extent of illegal foreign fishing;
• the economic costs of illegal fishing;
• the target species of illegal fishing;
• the gear used in illegal fishing;
• the tactics used in illegal fishing; and
• the origin of illegal fishing vessels and crews.

It included an examination of the illegal fish trade, including shark fins, within the region and an examination of the relevant drivers and impacts of the problem are to be undertaken, particularly:

• an assessment of the influence of organised crime and other beneficiaries in illegal foreign fishing activities conducted in waters between Indonesia and Australia, and in the related trade in fish products;
• the social and economic impact of illegal foreign fishing on traditional, recreational and commercial fishers and industries in Australia and Indonesia; and
• environmental and resource issues resulting from illegal foreign fishing.