Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2013 - Fall

This project presents a first-year implementation strategy for H.R. 69, which seeks to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in U.S. waters. IUU fishing contributes to global fish stock depletion, biodiversity loss, and significant economic damage, costing the world an estimated $10–23 billion annually. In New England alone, illegal cod harvests have undermined sustainable fisheries management and required federal subsidies. The Act proposes streamlined enforcement mechanisms, stronger penalties, improved vessel tracking, and enhanced coordination between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The team’s program design focuses on removing financial incentives for illegal fishing and increasing detection capacity through mandatory satellite vessel monitoring systems and a “20/20” staffing plan—aiming to increase enforcement personnel by 20% to reduce IUU fishing by 20% in the first year. The projected budget of approximately $39 million is framed as fiscally justified relative to economic losses from illegal harvests. Performance management includes enforcement metrics, tracking compliance rates, and measurable reductions in illegal catch volumes. The report concludes that H.R. 69 is both environmentally and economically justified and would significantly strengthen sustainable fisheries governance through targeted, data-driven enforcement.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.