Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing has become a major headache for the fishing industry and maritime authorities worldwide. From the ports of Vigo and Fuerteventura to patrols in the South Atlantic and offices in Brussels, the debate is no longer about whether the problem exists, but how to stop it with effective, coordinated, and affordable tools for all fleets.
While the European fishing industry is demanding more effective controls, sanctions, and traceability from the European Commission , various countries are strengthening their legal frameworks and surveillance systems. At the same time, concrete cases of illegal catches and maritime enforcement operations demonstrate that the fight against illegal fishing is no longer a theoretical debate, but a daily struggle for sustainability and sovereignty over resources.
Brussels in the spotlight: the Galician sector protests against illegal fishing
In Europe, and especially in Galicia, the feeling is clear: illegal fishing is seen as the main enemy of an industry that has spent years adapting to demanding environmental, regulatory, and labor standards. On several occasions, the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, has endorsed journalistic investigations that denounced operating licenses granted to vessels with dubious histories to sell fish on the European market.
Although Brussels repeatedly emphasizes that controls against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are "essential," the sector denounces the lack of political steps demanded by shipowners and the industry . Associations such as the Vigo Shipowners' Cooperative (ARVI), the canning industry association Anfaco, and the Conxemar trade fair are unequivocally calling for clear sanctions against repeat offender fleets—with particular mention of the Chinese fleet—the same rigor for all operators, and effective controls in ports considered veritable sieves for products lacking reliable traceability.
At the latest edition of the Galicia Market Place Mar forum, held at the Círculo de Empresarios (Businessmen's Circle), representatives of the sector insisted that the European Union needs to move towards a genuine customs union, not just a trade union , that would allow for the standardization and coordination of measures against the entry of IUU (illegal, unregulated, and unregulated) fish into the EU market. The concern is not only environmental: there is also talk of competing at a disadvantage against countries with much more lenient regulations regarding labor, health, and marine environmental protection.
The Shipowners' Cooperative has also criticized the lack of self-criticism within the European Union regarding the failure of the current Common Fisheries Policy in terms of fleet profitability, as well as the planned cuts to the funds that will succeed the EMFF. According to industry representatives, there is a clear contradiction between demanding greater sustainability from the European fleet, cutting aid, and simultaneously allowing the entry of products from fishing grounds where regulations are minimal or nonexistent.
The president of the Vigo Port Authority, along with executives from the processing industry, emphasized the importance of guaranteeing a level playing field , that is, truly fair competition. The underlying fear is repeating the pattern of other sectors, such as technology, where Europe has ended up almost entirely dependent on external suppliers. With powerful fleets like those of China, Thailand, and Ecuador gaining ground in international fishing grounds, the risk of food dependency and loss of control over fishery resources is perceived as increasingly tangible.
Faced with this scenario, the Galician fishing industry is also calling for greater recognition of the economic and social role of legal and regulated fishing : its capacity to support communities in coastal areas, the creation of stable and skilled jobs, the promotion of technological innovation, and full traceability of catches. One of the key elements identified as essential is collaboration and joint work among the various links in the marine-industrial chain, something that, as the stakeholders themselves acknowledge, has not always been the norm.
Spain and the control over catches: the case of bluefin tuna in Fuerteventura
Beyond the major debates in Brussels, the fight against illegal fishing also takes the form of very concrete actions on the ground . A recent example occurred in Fuerteventura, where the Civil Guard seized just over 126 kilos of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) allegedly caught illegally and destined, according to the evidence, for clandestine sale.
The events took place during a preventative surveillance operation on the island's east coast. On a difficult-to-access dirt track near the shoreline, officers located an SUV whose presence they considered suspicious. Upon identifying the vehicle and inspecting its interior, they found large pieces of freshly butchered bluefin tuna , along with knives and professional cutting tools—material clearly linked to deep-sea fishing.
The vehicle's occupants admitted to catching the fish a few hours earlier, but could not produce the required permit for recreational fishing of this species. Bluefin tuna is subject to a strict international quota and season system precisely because of its vulnerability, and any catch outside of this framework or without documentation constitutes a serious offense.
The seriousness of the case is compounded by indications that the fish was intended for commercial distribution , something strictly prohibited in recreational fishing. Introducing a catch of that size into the market without health controls or traceability constitutes unfair competition against operators who comply with regulations and poses a potential risk to public health.
Following the discovery, the Civil Guard transported the tuna meat to official facilities for precise weighing—126,15 kilos—and the product was placed under administrative custody pending a decision by the competent authority regarding its final disposition and the amount of any fines. In total, nine administrative infractions were reported, falling under a sanctions framework in which fines for maritime fishing can range from moderate amounts to €300.000 in cases considered very serious.
Authorities remind the public that bluefin tuna fishing in the Canary Islands is one of the activities most closely monitored by the Civil Guard and the Seprona (Nature Protection Service), precisely because of its high environmental and economic sensitivity. The message is clear: acting outside the law not only means the loss of the fish and the equipment used, but also a direct impact on the sustainability of marine resources and an economic cost that can be devastating for those who risk breaking the regulations.
International surveillance: control of foreign fleets and pressure at mile 201
Concern about illegal fishing is not unique to Europe. In the South Atlantic, for example, the pressure from foreign fleets operating in distant waters near Argentina's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has become a top priority for the country's authorities. There, the sight of hundreds of ship lights at the so-called 201st mile —just beyond the jurisdictional limit—has become commonplace, especially due to the activity of squid jiggers targeting Illex squid.
However, recent analyses warn of a perhaps less visible but strategically significant phenomenon: the sustained growth of foreign trawlers in the area adjacent to the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These vessels, less selective than squid jiggers, not only catch squid but also transboundary species such as hake and pollock, which have significant commercial value for the Argentine fleet and whose stocks are managed within national jurisdiction through management plans and scientific monitoring.
According to surveys cited by maritime control specialists, the number of trawlers operating beyond the 201-mile limit increased by approximately 70% between 2020 and 2026. Furthermore, a marked concentration of companies and the use of flags of convenience have been detected . Nearly half of the fleet is reportedly linked to Chinese companies, often operating under registrations from countries such as Vanuatu, Tanzania, or Kenya. Spanish companies operating under their own flag or under registrations associated with the Falkland Islands are also mentioned, a situation that Argentina does not recognize as sovereign territory.
One of the most concerning issues is the increase in excessive approaches and suspected incursions into Argentine territorial waters during maneuvers consistent with fishing activity: changes of course, net hauling, or suspicious navigation patterns. To address this challenge, the Argentine Naval Prefecture has strengthened its surveillance systems with digital evidence, AIS data, satellite imagery, and artificial intelligence tools capable of interpreting anomalous behavior in near real-time.
In this context, specific regulations have been approved that establish technical parameters for identifying speeds, routes, and navigational behaviors consistent with possible illegal fishing within the EEZ. This “maritime intelligence” has allowed for the sanctioning of suspected trawlers, such as some vessels flying the Vanuatu flag, based on a thorough analysis of their electronic trajectories, even without physically boarding all the vessels involved.
The proliferation of flags of convenience further complicates monitoring. Frequent name and flag changes, manipulation or deliberate shutdown of AIS systems, and opaque corporate structures make it difficult to track ships and companies. Although some of these operations take place in international waters, the use of gear such as bottom trawls raises additional concerns about their potential impacts on vulnerable ecosystems and species associated with the extended continental shelf.
The message from these reports is that modern maritime control can no longer rely solely on the physical presence of patrol boats or occasional document checks. Today, it is essential to reconstruct routes, interpret behavioral patterns, and anticipate illicit activities by cross-referencing large volumes of data—something that is also beginning to be implemented in other regions of the world.
Global reaction: stricter legal frameworks and electronic traceability systems
In parallel with developments in Europe and South America, several Asian countries are intensifying their efforts to curb IUU fishing and respond to the demands of major international markets. Governments and regional authorities are strengthening their legislation, creating high-level national committees against illegal fishing, and deploying electronic systems to closely monitor the activity of their own fleets.
In some cases, these structures report directly to the prime minister or deputy prime ministers and bring together representatives from key ministries: Defense, Public Security, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Finance, Industry and Trade, as well as inspection agencies and coastal provincial authorities. Their main function is to advise on major strategic decisions, coordinate the various sectors involved, and ensure that the solutions adopted comply with international agreements and practices.
Among the measures being implemented are the review and strengthening of legal frameworks to close any loopholes exploitable by illegal fishing, stricter regulation of vessel tracking systems (VMS) and the treatment of vessels that deactivate or manipulate these devices, or that operate without licenses, without registration or outside of current operational requirements.
At the local level, many regional governments are requiring all vessels to be properly registered and marked, closely monitoring mooring points, cataloging vessels that do not meet the requirements, and outright prohibiting them from going out to fish. At the same time, job retraining programs are being developed for fishermen affected by fleet reductions or changes in vessel use, in order to prevent economic pressure from pushing them back into illegal fishing.
Another key initiative is the use of electronic catch documentation systems, such as eCDT platforms, which allow for the online management of issuing certificates of origin for seafood products and centralized control of vessel entry and exit in ports. In some provinces, the usage rate of these tools has already reached nearly 100% among larger vessels, making it easier to demonstrate the legal origin of catches to demanding markets like the European one.
Alongside the strengthening of regulations, training and awareness initiatives aimed at fishers themselves are multiplying . For example, mock trials have been organized based on real cases of illegal exploitation of marine resources in foreign waters, explaining the penalties that can be imposed on those who disconnect tracking systems, alter vessel identification, or participate in organized illegal fishing operations outside national jurisdiction.
These exercises, which bring together fishermen and residents of coastal communities, serve to directly illustrate the legal, economic, and social consequences of IUU fishing. Authorities use these forums to emphasize that compliance with regulations and maintaining a good reputation as an exporting country are essential conditions for preserving access to key markets and avoiding restrictive measures by international organizations.
The patchwork of actions observed in Europe, South America, and Asia reflects a scenario in which illegal fishing is perceived as a cross-cutting threat : it undermines the sustainability of fishing grounds, distorts competition, fuels underground economies, and calls into question the sovereignty of states over their waters. Amid calls for stronger action from Brussels, enforcement operations in places like Fuerteventura, intensive surveillance in hotspots such as the 201st mile, and the implementation of complex electronic traceability systems, the fight against IUU fishing is moving toward a model based on more data, greater coordination, and less room for opacity at sea.
