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Abstract
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Area of Responsibility during the October–December 2025 quarter remained concentrated along high seas areas adjacent to the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina, with additional activity near the Galápagos Islands, Rapa Nui, and offshore Brazil. Fishing effort in the Southeast Pacific declined compared to the previous quarter, while activity increased in the South Atlantic, reflecting seasonal movement of distant-water squid fleets. Chinese-flagged vessels conducted the majority of observed fishing operations. Ship-to-ship meetings were most concentrated in the South Atlantic near Uruguay’s EEZ, the Falkland Islands, and Brazilian waters, with the tanker OCEAN ACE recording the highest number of interactions. Dark activity, indicated by AIS transmission gaps, frequently occurred near EEZ boundaries and overlapped with fishing and transshipment hotspots. These patterns highlight persistent monitoring challenges and reinforce the need for continued analysis of vessel behavior and maritime risk indicators in the region.