Closing the Net - Project: Establish a global information system on high seas fishing vessels

Establish a global information system on high seas fishing vessels

Problem: The lack of access to transparent and authoritative information about ownership and control of fishing vessels is an obstacle faced by enforcement organisations.

Project: Fishing Vessel Information System (FishVIS)

One of nine HSTF proposals for action against IUU fishing is the establishment of a global information system for high seas fishing vessels (FishVIS), to address the gap in information available to detect, deter and eliminate IUU fishing. The system was proposed to provide greater transparency in the nature and operation of illegal fishing activities.

The proposed system of fishing vessels would provide a single point of reference, publicly available through the internet, of impartial and verifiable data that will enable users to identify and make comparisons between vessels and linkages between companies and flag states suspected of involvement in IUU fishing. The database is not intended to be a vessel register in a traditional sense, but a depository of information with links to other sources of relevant information. Users of the system can obtain up-to-date information on fishing authorisations, previous vessel names, flag states, owners etc. This would be a valuable tool to enable flag and port states, commercial buyers and individuals to make informed decisions based on a wide range of facts.

At the final meeting of the HSTF it was agreed that further work was required to determine the likely costs and benefits to be derived from the proposed database to inform a decision on its future. Ministers from New Zealand and Australia agreed to take this proposal forward by leading and funding a feasibility study on the technical and beneficial aspects of the system. The executive summary and recommendations from the feasibility study can be viewed below:

FishVIS Feasibility Study Report

FishVIS Technical Recommendations

The final recommendation of the New Zealand-Australia scoping study was to work with the FAO, which also undertook a study to determine the feasibility and viability of developing a comprehensive record of fishing vessels within FAO, including refrigerated transport vessels and supply vessels, that incorporates available information on beneficial ownership, subject to confidentiality requirements in accordance with national law - called the “Global Record” (reference COFI/2007/Inf.12).

The FAO study was considered at the 27th Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries, held 5-9 March 2007, and members supported convening an Expert Consultation to further develop the concept. The Expert Consultation, due in February 2008, will help to clarify the issues relating to the project’s objectives, sensitivity to costs, confidentiality requirements and the need to link it to other reliable vessel information sources.

Contacts :

Barbara Smith, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia.
Email: barbara.smith@affa.gov.au

Darius Campbell, DEFRA, UK.
Email: darius.campbell@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Partners:
New Zealand, Australia.

Further information:
Feasibility Study to Develop a Global High Seas Fishing Vessel Information System