Belhabib Dyhia, Le Billon Philippe
Ecotrust Canada, 312 Main St., Vancouver, BC V6A 2T2, Canada.
Nautical Crime Investigation Services, 777, Queens Rd. West, North Vancouver, BC V7N2L4, Canada.
Sci Adv. 2022 Mar 25;8(12):eabj1927. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abj1927. Epub 2022 Mar 23.
This study provides a global assessment of the linkages between observed fisheries-related offenses across the world's oceans between 2000 and 2020. We analyze data from the largest existing repository with 6853 events reporting offenses across 18 fishing-related categories, including illegal fishing, human rights abuses, and smuggling. We find that at least 33% of all recorded offenses are associated with 450 industrial vessels and 20 companies originating from China, the EU, and tax haven jurisdictions. We observe links between various types of offenses for 779 vessels, with such "transversal criminality" involving 2000 offenses and crimes globally. This study demonstrates the ability to identify offenders and patterns of behaviors threatening fisheries sustainability at a global level and countries most vulnerable to transversal criminality. In light of concerns for widespread underreporting and impunity, we call for greater information sharing, interagency cooperation, and stringent enforcement to bring to account major offenders.
本研究对2000年至2020年间全球海洋中观察到的与渔业相关的违法行为之间的联系进行了全面评估。我们分析了来自最大现有数据库的数据，该数据库包含6853起事件，报告了18个与渔业相关类别的违法行为，包括非法捕鱼、侵犯人权和走私。我们发现，所有记录在案的违法行为中，至少33%与450艘工业船只以及来自中国、欧盟和避税港司法管辖区的20家公司有关。我们观察到779艘船只存在各类违法行为之间的联系，这种“横向犯罪”在全球涉及2000起违法行为和犯罪。本研究展示了在全球层面识别威胁渔业可持续性的违法者和行为模式以及最易受横向犯罪影响的国家的能力。鉴于对普遍瞒报和有罪不罚现象的担忧，我们呼吁加强信息共享、跨部门合作以及严格执法，以追究主要违法者的责任。
