Uncovering hidden human rights abuses and illegal fishing at sea

As fishing vessels scour the ocean for dwindling fish stocks, satellite monitoring is becoming a key tool in tracking their elusive trails. In 2020, investigators from the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) identified two vessels engaged in unauthorised tuna fishing in the Atlantic, revealing a 'ghost fleet' exploiting vulnerable crews, engaging in illegal practices like shark finning, and smuggling high-value catches into global markets.
Despite relentless evasion tactics, the vessels are now blacklisted from operating in vast swathes of the Indian and Atlantic oceans. While this is a success, the fact they could remain hidden for so long underscores the broader challenge of tracing who is fishing what, where and when on our ocean. A transparent fishing sector is urgently needed to stop these destructive vessels threatening our ocean and ecosystems.
The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is an international NGO working to defend our shared natural environment and human rights: ejfoundation.org
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