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This report from 2010 investigates the use of flags of convenience by pirate fishing vessels and advocates for the end of this widespread practice that is 'the scourge of today's maritime world'.

The report provides case studies from West Africa, Southeast Asia, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, all regions with high incidences of illegal fishing. Human rights abuses directly documented by EJF and other organisations, including the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), include physical and emotional abuse, incarceration, forced labour without pay, abandonment, and reports of murder.

'Illegal Driftnetting in the Mediterranean' documents how driftnets, although banned by both the EU and the ICCAT since 2002 and 2003, continue to be used illegally across the region to catch valuable large species, mainly swordfish and tuna. There are estimated to be up to 600 illegal driftnet vessels operating in the Mediterranean, including many EU-flagged vessels. EJF is calling on the European Union, and all States involved, to meet their legal responsibilities with firm and decisive action.

Mangroves represent far more than just a ‘bio-shield’. Despite being regarded for many years as ‘wastelands’, ripe for development, it is now known that mangroves provide coastal communities with many services and utilizable products, and perform vital ecosystem functions.

This report concludes that the conversion of mangrove habitat into shrimp farms, tourist resorts, agricultural and urban land over the past decades, as well as destruction of coral reefs, contributed significantly to the catastrophic loss of human lives and settlements during the 2004 tsunami. Conserving and restoring coastal mangrove areas is essential if coastal communities are to recover and be protected from future similar events.

The report documents how illegal fishing activities are facilitated in Guinea by the lack of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance and the widespread use of Flags of Convenience. It makes recommendations to stop the plunder, including regional cooperation and EU leadership.

'What's the Catch? - Reducing bycatch in EU distant water fisheries' documents EJF's research on the dramatic economic, ecological and developmental impacts of bycatch. It makes practical recommendations to reduce the EU distant water fisheries bycatch through highlighting successful technical and operational methods.

This report describes the development, current status and future targets of shrimp aquaculture in the Socialist Republic Of Vietnam (henceforth Vietnam). We highlight the social and environmental importance of mangrove and wetland habitats and demonstrate the decline in such ecosystems due to shrimp aquaculture. We characterise the economics of shrimp aquaculture, both nationally and at the local level, and highlight the industry’s key problems. Finally we describe a range of alternatives and solutions, and present recommendations to the Government of Vietnam, the international donor community, non-governmental organisations and the governments of shrimp-importing countries.

Describes our trip to Vietnam to learn more about the Vietnamese shrimp farming industry, as part of our campaign for sustainable shrimp production.