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Ben Zahavi
AP English III
12 December 2016
Catch of the Day:
The Economic Impact of IUU Fishing
Around the world, fishing is considered a great past time, but when ones
economy and livelihood depend on it, fishing is a necessity. As the plague of illegal,
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing spreads, South Africa's economy struggles.
However, with the passing of the Post State Measures Agreement (PSMA), an
international treaty intended to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing, there is a new
hope for South Africans and the global community. Launching the PSMA into an
international community effort will decrease the substantial impact IUU fishing has had
on South Africa's economy.
Peoples dependence on fishing has grown tremendously over the past few
decades. Globally, 200 million people rely on fisheries for their livelihoods, 97 percent of
them reside in developing countries like South Africa ("Developing nations can reap
benefit from fish trade"). To protect and secure the South African way of life, IUU fishing
needs to be controlled. Jos Graziano da Silva, Director-general of the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), agreed, stating, "There is a need
to increase support for small-scale fisheries who are dependent for their livelihoods"
("FAO chief wants effective implementation of treaty to combat illegal fishing").
The economic opportunity of fishing around the globe and in South Africa is

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contingent on stopping IUU fishing. In 2015, the value of fish traded worldwide was
$130 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (Domingo, "Gov't
forms..."). Unfortunately, the toll of IUU fishing has taken its place in the global
economy, responsible for annual catches of up to 26 million tons with a value of $23
billion ("FAO chief wants..."). More specifically to the region, South Africa loses an
estimated $1.3 billion a year to illegal fishing, causing a deficit in the economy ("African
oceans plundered").
As the demand for fish increases, the detrimental effects of IUU fishing will
become more apparent in the economy. According to the following data points from
"Developing nations can reap benefit from fish trade, fishing demand has expanded
rapidly. Average consumption has increased from 9 kilograms per capita in 1961 to 20
kilograms per capita in 2016. Due to the rise in demand of a the fish marketplace,
developing countries, such as South Africa, have significant potential to expand their
economies. Their share of fishery exports stand at 64 percent when measured by value
and 61 percent by quantity. As the fishing trade continues to skyrocket, the entire sector
itself can too. Audum Len, deputy director of the FAO's Fisheries and Aquaculture
Department, said, "There is room for expansion in the fisheries and aquaculture sector,
as our population and demand for fish products grow" ("Developing nations can...").
With IUU fishing stealing money from local, legitimate fisherman's pockets, the growth
of the trade could lead to its downfall.
In South Africa, the benefits of illegally fishing is worth the potential risk. The
people believe that it is more important to save money for themselves than to work with

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the global fishing community to share the wealth. Not having to pay licenses or taxes for
the catch of the day is worth potentially being caught, ironically like their own fish. But
the development of the PSMA as an international affair will help increase the risk and
decrease IUU fishing.
Although IUU fishing impairs permissible fisherman, the practice also endanger
international coordinated efforts to manage global marine resources ("A significant,
historical step toward healthier oceans"). If fish populations are not able to breed at a
certain rate before they are caught, the species could become endangered or extinct,
which affects the entire ecosystem. Shouldnt the sustainability of our marine
ecosystems be a paramount issued due to its impact to life on land? The PSMA will give
illegal fisherman higher costs to operate and a serious risk of being caught by making it
more difficult to enter their fish into markets. Local government law enforcement
agencies will be in conjunction with Coastal Rangers, who "check and apprehend illegal
fishing activities, in a push to end local illegal fishing activities (Arguelles).
The requirements and preventions of the PSMA will aid a smooth transition into
effect. To make control easier, the new treaty requires foreign vessels to enter specific
ports. Ships entering these ports must participate in thorough inspections of logbooks,
licenses, fishing gear, as well as providing authorities with information about the fish on
board ("Ground-Breaking Illegal Fishing Accord Soon to Enter into Force"). In order to
prevent IUU fishing, the agreement is designed to raise the cost by blocking illegally
caught fish from entering markets (Domingo, "Support for..."). Dr. Matthew Camilleri, a
FAO fishery liaison officer, said, "We are committed to broadening our capacity

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development program in order to assist countries with enhancing their fishery's policies
and legislative frameworks, as well as strengthening their institutional capacity and
operational procedures. So that they will be in a better position to combat and eliminate
IUU fishing" ("Port State Measures Agreement Enters into Force as International
Treaty"). The creation of a network of ports around the world will strengthen
international communication and better aid the fight against IUU fishing.
The economic influence of the PSMA prevention of IUU fishing is like a
100-pound Tarpon being caught by an inexperienced fisherman; it is significant. In
2015, roughly one of every sixth fish sold around the world was caught illegally ("A
significant, historical step..."). However, due to the passing of the PSMA, the number is
expected to decline rapidly. Compared to most monitoring, control, and surveillance
schemes, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "the Port State
Measures Act functions as a highly effective -- and cost effective -- deterrent to IUU
fishing activities" ("Ground-Breaking Illegal Fishing Accord...").
The success of the PSMA is dependent on the effectivity upon it can act. The
efficiency of the international treaty relies on the support of the international community.
The growth has already begun: in 2014, only 10 nations had ratified the PSMA, now
more than 60 nations have ratified the agreement ("FAO chief wants..."). The countries
that have signed the agreement account for more than 62 percent of worldwide fish
imports, which is worth $133 billion, and 49 percent of fish exports, which worth $139
billion ("Ground-Breaking Illegal Fishing Accord..."). By working together, PSMA

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supporting countries are able to protect global fish trade, in addition to their own
economic value.
To protect South Africa's economy, the success of the PSMA is essential. The
impact of IUU fishing will slowly deteriorate, as the PSMA is implemented as an
international effort. As a step in the right direction, the problem of IUU fishing has
already been addressed -- too often problems are ignored or labeled as unsolvable. The
compliance of countries around the world is inevitable and soon every nation will have
ratified the PSMA. The global fish industry needs to apply sustainable practices, so the
fish market can continue to grow. The only way to do so is to remove IUU fishing
completely.

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Works Cited
"African oceans plundered." New African, Aug.-Sept. 2016, p. 20+. Global Issues in
Context. Web. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
Arguelles, Mar S. "3 vessels held for illegal fishing in Albay." Philippines Daily Inquirer
[Makati City, Philippines], 9 Sept. 2016. Global Issues in Context. Web. Accessed 28
Nov. 2016
"A significant, historical step toward healthier oceans." Philippines Daily Inquirer [Makati
City, Philippines], 11 July 2016. Global Issues in Context. Web. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
De Coning, Eve and Emma Witbooi. "Towards a new 'fisheries crime' paradigm: South
Africa as an illustrative example." Marine Policy, vol. 60, 2015, p. 208+. Academic
OneFile. Web. Accessed 28 Nov. 2016.
"'Developing nations can reap benefit from fish trade'." Down To Earth, 7 Mar. 2016.
General OneFile.Web. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
Domingo, Ronnel W. "Gov't forms task force vs illegal fishing." Philippines Daily Inquirer
[Makati City, Philippines], 17 Aug. 2016. Global Issues in Context. Web. Accessed 28
Nov. 2016.
Domingo, Ronnel W. "Support for anti-illegal fishing pact sought." Philippines Daily Inquirer
[Makati City, Philippines], 14 July 2016. Global Issues in Context. Web. Accessed 28
Nov. 2016.
"FAO chief wants effective implementation of treaty to combat illegal fishing." Down To
Earth, 22 Sept. 2016. General OneFile. Web. Accessed 28 Nov. 2016.

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Ground-Breaking Illegal Fishing Accord Soon to Enter into Force. FAO - News Article:
Ground-Breaking Illegal Fishing Accord Soon to Enter into Force, The Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Web. Accessed 30 Nov. 2016.
Port State Measures Agreement Enters into Force as International Treaty. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Web. Accessed 30 Nov. 2016.