By Dyhia Belhabib, PhD, Director, Nautical Crime Investigation Services and Principal Investigator, Ecotrust Canada
At first glance, the issue of illegal fishing presents primarily as a serious concern for authorities and communities directly impacted by economic effects of depleted fishing stock and associated coastal unemployment. Given so many people in these communities rely on fishing for economic and food security, an effective judicial deterrence and an equally effective naval and coastguard patrolling capability, become immediate priorities. Yet, as Dyhia Belhabib, Director at Nautical Crime Investigation Services and Principal Investigator with Ecotrust Canada explores here, illegal fishing is part of a web of criminality, the impacts of which extend well beyond the immediate concern of coastal communities. Illegal fishing networks are vectors for criminal and even terrorist activity, and addressing the scourge is both a local and national security emergency.
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The problem at hand
Security, often associated with the fight against extremism, encompasses various dimensions that extend beyond traditional military threats. In today's interconnected world, the impact of illegal activities, such as illegal fishing and environmental crimes, cannot be overlooked. These activities not only pose significant threats to environmental sustainability but also have far-reaching consequences for national security. There is a direct link, albeit logistical, between fishing crimes, and extremism through maritime drug trafficking and the opportunities fishing vessels increasingly provide as a mode of transportation of drugs. There is also an indirect link between illegal fishing and extremism, whereas decreasing catch opportunities, and increased poverty due to illegal fishing has been identified as a driver of crime, including drug trafficking within small-scale fishing communities. As illicit drug trafficking often acts as a means of funding for extremism, the connection, whether direct or indirect, can be easily made between environmental crime, illegal fishing, and national security.
Extremism Funding through Drug Trafficking
The United Nations Security Council has recognised the link between terrorism and drug trafficking as evident and well established. In numerous cases, extremist groups derive their funding from illicit activities, including drug trafficking which can represent between one fifth and one third of their revenues[1]. The lucrative nature of the drug trade provides substantial financial resources to support terrorist operations.
According to recent reports, the illicit drug trade continues to generate substantial funding for insurgency and terrorist activities worldwide. For instance, in Afghanistan, a major producer of opium with 80% of the global supply[2], the estimated value of the opium harvest in 2022 exceeds $US1.4 billion annually, which is only a fraction of drug trafficking revenues[3]. In various Latin American countries, the cocaine trade remains a significant source of revenue for criminal networks and potentially funds extremist groups[4] such as Hezbollah[5]. Recent estimates suggest that the global cocaine market can generate over $650 billion annually[6].
The exact proportion of these illicit funds used for financing terrorism is difficult to ascertain due to the covert nature of such activities. However, even a small percentage of these vast sums would provide sufficient resources for individuals or groups to plan, finance, and carry out terrorist acts with devastating consequences. The connection between drug trafficking and terrorism extends beyond financial support. In some instances, drugs themselves have been used as a form of currency to facilitate terrorist operations. A notable example is the Madrid bombings, where drugs were involved in the commission of the attacks, highlighting the intricate links between the drug trade and acts of terrorism.
These numbers underscore the urgent need to address the intersection of drug trafficking and terrorism as a critical component of national and international security strategies. Efforts should focus on disrupting illicit drug supply chains, strengthening law enforcement cooperation, promoting intelligence sharing, and supporting comprehensive counterterrorism measures.
So how does this relate to illegal fishing?
Belhabib et al. (2020)[7] found that drug trafficking via maritime routes on fishing vessels accounted for 15% of all drug trafficking routes. This indicates the significance of the use of fishing vessels for illicit activities and highlights the need to address this issue to ensure security and stability. Maritime drug trafficking, specifically relating to the use of fishing vessels, has emerged as a significant concern, with several terrorist groups, criminal, and drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) utilising this illicit trade to fund their operations. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal serve as key transit routes for drug smuggling into India, with approximately 70% of illegal drugs being trafficked through sea routes[8].
In nearly 60% of the time, illicit drugs trafficked through fishing vessels are transported onboard small-scale boats. Therein lies a dangerous connection between on the one hand, illegal fishing; which drives declining catch opportunities for small-scale communities, exclusionary ill designed conservation strategies that deprives small-scale communities from accessing their traditional fishing grounds, and lack of legitimate and appropriate livelihood alternatives for those same communities, and on the other hand, increased vulnerability to engaging in illicit activities such as drug trafficking[9]. The Centre for Latin American and Latino Studies writes “By virtue of their maritime skills and equipment, these [small-scale fishing] populations may also be witting or unwitting accomplices to a variety of coastal crimes, such as smuggling of contraband, fuel, or narcotics.” [10]. Cartels profit from the skillset and vulnerability of Latin American small-scale fishers to transport illicit guns and drugs at sea[11]; In West Africa, studies illustrated a potential link between illegal fishing, declining catch opportunities and piracy[12]. Although the causality of this link is disputed[13], it remains evident that declining livelihood opportunities drive increased vulnerability to (engaging in) crime[14].
Illegal fishing and environmental crime have gained significant attention due to their escalating impact on both the environment and national security. These activities undermine the sustainability of marine ecosystems, disrupt economic livelihoods, and fuel conflicts between states. The depletion of fish stocks and destruction of marine habitats can lead to food insecurity, exacerbate poverty, and trigger social unrest, all of which can ultimately contribute to a destabilised nation.
Efforts to combat illegal fishing and environmental crime have prompted the development of innovative solutions aimed at preserving marine ecosystems and safeguarding national security. One promising approach involves the establishment of international collaborations and partnerships to enhance information sharing, ethical transparency, and coordination among countries. By fostering mutual cooperation, countries can pool their resources, expertise, and technologies to effectively monitor and regulate their maritime territories. In West Africa, members of the sub-regional fisheries commission have often pulled patrolling resources to monitor the waters of the sub-region. The US and the Philippines have joined force to patrol the South China sea. Furthermore, initiatives such as the implementation of stricter regulations, licensing systems, and traceability mechanisms can contribute to the reduction of illegal fishing activities. These measures help ensure that fishing operations are conducted responsibly, thereby supporting sustainable practices, and the protection of marine biodiversity for the ocean and fishing communities. Through a combination of international cooperation and targeted regulations, a path towards combatting illegal fishing and environmental crime can be forged, safeguarding both the environment and the well-being of communities that depend on it.
Technology also plays a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by illegal fishing and environmental crime. Advanced surveillance systems, including satellite monitoring, drones, and automatic identification systems, offer governments tools to detect and track illicit activities in maritime domains. These technologies enable real-time data collection, analysis, and evidence gathering, enhancing law enforcement efforts and supporting evidence-based policymaking. However, given the low capacity at hand, including in G20 countries facing an emergence of ocean crimes and the inability to monitor a global fleet of nearly 5 million vessels, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms becomes crucial to improving the efficiency of monitoring systems, enabling the identification of suspicious vessels and facilitating targeted interventions. While these technologies can be promising, they have to be integrated within the notion of transparency, ethics, and responsibility.
Nautical Crime Investigation Services (NCIS), a company that develops, trackers and AI driven technologies for Maritime Domain Awareness and National security has launched the Tech Law and Maritime Defense Summit (TLMDS) which gathers experts from the fields of defence, enforcements, law, policy, environmental advocacy, technology, and research to support discussion around responsible technologies in this realm. Indeed, addressing the complex issue of illegal fishing and environmental crime requires robust cooperation between nations, international organisations, and relevant stakeholders from various disciplines. Collaborative efforts can facilitate information sharing, capacity building, and joint operations, enhancing the effectiveness of countermeasures. Regional fisheries management organisations can play a crucial role in promoting cooperation, fostering dialogue, and establishing common frameworks to combat illegal fishing.
Illegal fishing and environmental crime have profound implications for both environmental sustainability and national security. The connection between maritime drug trafficking and extremist funding further emphasises the need to tackle these issues comprehensively. Governments and policymakers must recognise the urgency of addressing these challenges through enhanced technological capabilities, international cooperation, and evidence-based policymaking. By adopting a multidimensional approach that integrates security, environmental conservation, and socioeconomic considerations, nations can mitigate the threats posed by illegal fishing and environmental crime, contributing to a safer and more sustainable future.
[1] https://www.unodc.org/e4j/zh/organized-crime/module-16/key-issues/terrorism-and-drug-trafficking.html
[2] https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan/Opium_cultivation_Afghanistan_2022.pdf
[3] https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan/Opium_cultivation_Afghanistan_2022.pdf
[4] https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/hezbollahs-global-networks-and-latin-american-cocaine-trade
[6] https://www.unodc.org/e4j/zh/organized-crime/module-16/key-issues/terrorism-and-drug-trafficking.html
[8] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drug-trafficking-through-maritime-routes-postal-services-on-risencb-101664305955719.html
[10] https://insightcrime.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SSRN-IUU-Fishing-Crimes-in-Latin-America-and-the-Caribbean-American-university-InSight-Crime-2022.pdf
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