The Far Dwuma Nkɔdo project is implemented by EJF and Hen Mpoano, with funding from the EU. The project aims to secure greater environmental sustainability and social equity in Ghana’s fisheries sector, by supporting efforts to reduce illegal fishing and building the capacity of fishing communities in the sustainable management of their resource.

This report lays out the ‘ten principles for global transparency in the fishing industry’. These simple, low-cost measures – which include publishing license lists and giving vessels unique numbers – are well within the reach of any country and can play a pivotal role in the battle against illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector.

Transparency in the fishing industry is the best weapon we have against the twin tragedies of illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector. EJF has collated ten simple principles for states to follow.

EJF’s report shows that the global fishing industry suffers from a shocking lack of transparency, allowing Illegal operators to create as much confusion as possible around their identities; escaping detection by changing vessel names; concealing ownership; flying different flags to avoid detection; or removing ships from registers entirely. This report lays out the ‘ten principles for global transparency in the fishing industry’. These simple, low-cost measures – which include publishing license lists and giving vessels unique numbers – are well within the reach of any country and can play a pivotal role in the battle against illegal fishing and human rights abuse in the sector.

Loss of sharks can lead to dramatic imbalances in marine ecosystems. This is particularly significant in Liberia, where 33,000 people rely on the fishing industry for their livelihoods, and 65% of all animal protein eaten comes from seafood. This report lays out the argument for a Liberian national plan of action for the protection of sharks and rays.

Around 90% of Ghana’s industrial fishing fleet is linked to Chinese ownership, this report reveals. This is despite the fact that Ghana’s laws clearly forbid any foreign ownership or control of vessels flying its flag. The Chinese and Ghanaian governments must now work together to eradicate the illegal fishing practices which are rife in Ghana’s industrial fleet, improve transparency and sanction those contravening ownership laws.

Die industrielle Fischereiflotte Ghanas ist durch chinesische Eigentümerstrukturen geprägt. Da die Fischerei in Ghana stark unter der illegalen Fischerei leidet, müssen die ghanaische und die chinesische Regierung zusammenarbeiten, um die weit verbreiteten illegalen Fischereipraktiken in Ghanas industrieller Fangflotte zu unterbinden und Auflagen gegen jene zu verhängen, die die Gesetze zu Eigentumsverhältnissen missachten.

Deutsche Zusammenfassung und Empfehlungen basierend auf dem englischen Bericht.

Around 90% of Ghana’s industrial fishing fleet is linked to Chinese ownership, an investigation by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has revealed. This is despite the fact that Ghana’s laws clearly forbid any foreign ownership or control of vessels flying its flag. The Chinese and Ghanaian governments must now work together to eradicate the illegal fishing practices which are rife in Ghana’s industrial fleet, improve transparency and sanction those contravening ownership laws.

The Royal Thai Government (RTG) is aiming to bring Thai legislation in line with international standards. The coalition applauds the RTG for this progress but reiterate much more still needs to be done. We urge the RTG to consider two crucial aspects in the next steps. First, the definition of forced labour must be harmonised. Second, forced labour must be designated as a stand-alone criminal offence.

The Royal Thai Government (RTG) is aiming to bring Thai legislation in line with international standards. The coalition applauds the RTG for this progress but reiterate much more still needs to be done. We urge the RTG to consider two crucial aspects in the next steps. First, the definition of forced labour must be harmonised. Second, forced labour must be designated as a stand-alone criminal offence.

In a bold step in the struggle against illegal practices and human rights abuse in the fishing industry, Thailand has become one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to publish a full list of all its registered and licensed fishing vessels, alongside a ‘watchlist’ of vessels prohibited from fishing, sunk or damaged, or sold to neighbouring countries.

The Royal Thai Government has continued to make considerable progress in addressing and eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and associated human rights abuses. EJF staff are also now actively engaging with numerous government agencies and special inspection teams across the country.