Toothfish Poaching (Primary)

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 4-6 Grade
• 6th,7th Grade

Introductie

Overfishing is emptying the ocean, with 90% of fisheries already overfished. Illegal fishing is increasing this. This lesson explains about illegal fishing in relation to Antarctic and Patagonian Toothfish.

TOOTHFISH POACHING

Illegal toothfish poaching and how it is being tackled.

Over 100 million tonnes of fish caught annually.

UN estimates 90% of fish species overfished.

Two-thirds fully exploited

26% over exploited

10% healthy fisheries

Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.

Unreported Fishing

Unreported means that a fishing vessel may have a license with an allocated quota for fishing a particular species, such as tuna, but then catches more than their quota states and they fail to report it.

Unregulated Fishing

Unregulated refers to areas in the ocean where there may not be a quota or any regulations in place, either in that location or for the type of species.

Toothfish are high value targets.

Toothfish life cycle

This image shows the Toothfish life cycle:

• Egg – develop 4-5 months.
• Larvae = age 1 – 6 years old – up to 12cm long.
• Juvenille 6-7 years old – 12 -18 cm long.
• Sub adult – 7-8 years old approx - 80 -100 cm long.
• Mature adult age 8 to 50 years old  - 70cm to 2.2m.

10% of Antarctic and Patagonian toothfish

are taken illegally.

Why does overfishing have a bigger impact on slow developing species like toothfish?

Illegal gillnets are used by poachers.

Protecting toothfish

International laws regulate fishing.

Regional Fisheries Managment Organisations (RFMO)

These organisations are international bodies that help to regulate fishing.

Cooperation between different countries on the management of some highly migratory species is important.

CCAMLR

Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) was established 1982.

Convention covers an area equal to around 10% of the Earth’s surface.

Covers fisheries targeted in the area, these are currently Patagonian toothfish, Antarctic toothfish, mackerel icefish and Antarctic krill

How and why do you think illegal fishing could continue in this region?

Detecting and stopping illegal fishing.

AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AIS)

Locating a vessel can be done by monitoring AIS on a ships radar. 

Shipping vessels are required by law to have on board an Automatic Identification System (AIS).

SATELLITE MONITORING

Satellites allow fishing vessels to be monitored all over the world.

Which allows vessels to be tracked, even without their AIS switched on. 

Image: Global Fishing Watch

Patrol vessels

Law enforcement can chase down poachers and board them for inspection.

Inspection means taking a look at their log books, checking their registration documents, fishing license and what catch is in the ships fish hold.

INTERPOL

Interpol is an international police force involved in operations to monitor and coordinate the evidence required to arrest illegal operators, no matter where they are in the world. 

Why should we protect species like toothfish?

How can IUU
activity be detected?

How can we help protect toothfish?

Help to stop the demand for toothfish.

Help raise awareness about overfishing and the extent of illegal fishing operations.

www.seashepherdglobal.org