The major problem with battling overfishing on the high seas is that it is difficult to track vessels due to the lack of transparency in vessel registration. The results of a new study are hoping to change this problem by creating a global database of the global fishing fleet that can help tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Analysis of the data found that 20% of high-seas fishing was likely unregulated and that reflagging of vessels mainly occurred in East Asia, West Africa, and Eastern Europe. The researchers plan on making the dataset publicly available so that authorities have access to timely information.

 

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