Are RFMO IUU Vessel Lists Useful?

Currently there are thirteen Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and related organisations that have instituted a process for officially listing vessels that have been identified as taking part in illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing activities relating to their area or species of competence. These are commonly known as IUU lists. The process for IUU listing a vessel varies between RFMOs but is generally quite complicated and applies only to vessels that have violated the management measures of the RFMO. As a result, generally only a few vessels are added or taken off RFMO lists each year, and the lists therefore do not represent the true number of vessels who commit illegal fishing operations. Nonetheless, IUU listings by RFMOs form a very important part of the global fisheries enforcement picture, not least because they are one of the few transparent sources of information on sanctioned IUU vessels. The listed fishing vessels can also often be considered the ‘worst of the worst’, presenting the highest risk to potential costal, flag, port, and market States, and so easily available and up to date information on their identities and operations is critical