Fisheries Transparency

Coalition for Fisheries Transparency Backs Philippine Government’s Bid to Restore Vessel Monitoring

International coalition of more than 50 organizations says loss of VMS mandate puts Philippine seafood exports and regional commitments at risk

Washington, D.C. – August 11, 2026 – The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) today expressed its support for the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in seeking reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s January 21 decision declaring Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266 unconstitutional. The order required Philippine-flagged commercial fishing vessels to carry vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and submit electronic catch reports.

Vessel monitoring is a foundational tool of modern fisheries management. It is used by coastal and flag States worldwide to verify compliance with closed seasons and area restrictions, to support investigations into illegal operators, and to generate the data on which science-based management depends. Its removal leaves Philippine authorities with materially less capacity to detect illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including incursions by commercial vessels into the municipal waters reserved for small-scale fishers.

Ryan Orgera, Director of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, said, “The Philippines is one of the world’s most significant fishing nations, and vessel monitoring has become a standard expectation of responsible fisheries governance globally. Without a clear legal framework requiring vessel monitoring, the country’s ability to combat illegal fishing, meet regional fisheries commitments, and provide the assurances increasingly demanded by seafood markets is weakened. The solution is not less transparency, but a monitoring system that is both effective and fully aligned with constitutional protections. We welcome BFAR’s efforts to develop that path forward.”

CFT notes with concern the Court’s finding that the government had not established that the absence of FAO 266 would carry consequences for the Philippines’ international commitments. From the vantage point of organizations working on fisheries transparency across more than 25 countries, the international consequences are concrete and immediate.

Vessel monitoring is an established requirement in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) in which the Philippines participates, including the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). Both mandate VMS on fishing vessels, with position reporting serving as a cornerstone of shared compliance measures.

The consequences for seafood exporters are equally direct. Major import markets increasingly condition access on verifiable proof of where fish was caught. The European Union requires VMS data as part of flag State verification under its IUU Regulation and may request raw VMS records for consignments entering the European market. Without a VMS mandate, Philippine exporters may find themselves unable to satisfy documentation requirements in precisely the markets on which the sector depends.

CFT recognizes the commercial sensitivities raised by the vessel operators challenging the order. But those concerns can be addressed through safeguards for monitoring data, rather than eliminating the requirement altogether. VMS data is transmitted to regulators for enforcement and management purposes and is subject to confidentiality protections. Moreover, VMS is not the only source of information about fishing activity: AIS broadcasts, satellite-based vessel detection, and other publicly available data can already provide insights into vessel movements and productive fishing areas. Removing VMS would weaken fisheries oversight without meaningfully eliminating operators’ exposure to information about their activities at sea.

Orgera added, “CFT welcomes commitments by BFAR to rectify the identified deficiencies and review its implementing mechanisms to ensure any future framework is aligned with constitutional safeguards. We stand ready to support that work, including by sharing comparative practice on data-protection safeguards, proportionate monitoring design, and monitoring frameworks that apply consistently across fleet segments. We also urge lawmakers to begin consideration of new laws that would reinstate VMS in a way that aligns with the Philippines’ international commitments.”

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The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency is a global network of more than fifty global civil society organisations that work together to improve transparency and accountability in fisheries governance and management. The Coalition promotes the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, a set of 10 policy principles designed to ensure that information about fishing vessels, activities, and governance is publicly available, helping to combat illegal fishing, strengthen ocean governance, and protect human rights at sea. Learn more at fisheriestransparency.net.

Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Sr. Communications Manager, CFT
chip@fisheriestransparency.net
+1 518-669-3936

Coalition for Fisheries Transparency Names Ryan Orgera as New Director

Washington, D.C. – July 20, 2026 –The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) announced the appointment of Dr. Ryan Orgera as its new Director. Based in Ottawa, Canada, Orgera brings more than a decade of experience advancing ocean conservation, fisheries sustainability, and transparency initiatives around the world.

As Director, Orgera will lead CFT’s efforts to advance transparency and accountability in fisheries management, build support for the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, and work with governments, civil society organizations, and other partners to drive meaningful reforms that support sustainable and equitable fisheries.

An environmental social scientist, Orgera most recently served as Global Director of the advocacy organization Accountability.Fish and previously held leadership roles including marine policy fellow in the United States Senate and CEO of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, a regional conservancy. He is an expert in ocean governance and multilateral fisheries processes, with experience working through Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and United Nations forums. Over the past three years, he served on CFT’s Steering Committee, helping guide the Coalition’s strategic direction.

Dr. Ryan Orgera said, “I am proud to have supported CFT’s mission as a Steering Committee member, and I am honored to now lead the Coalition’s work. Transparency is fundamental to sustainable fisheries management, stronger ocean stewardship, and combating illegal fishing. I look forward to working with our members and partners around the world to advance practical reforms that benefit both people and the ocean.”

Maisie Pigeon, Senior Director of Global Transparency at Oceana, said, “Ryan brings a deep understanding of fisheries transparency, a strong track record of advocacy and coalition building, and a clear vision for advancing CFT’s mission. Having worked alongside him for several years, I am confident he will build on the Coalition’s success and help drive even greater progress toward transparent, accountable, and sustainable fisheries worldwide.

The Coalition recently announced the signing of the Mombasa Declaration, a commitment by 16 countries to advance global fisheries transparency and strengthen efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya. The Coalition is working with the signatory countries to advance practical transparency measures, outlined in the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, to improve access to information on vessel ownership, licensing, and fishing activity; strengthening accountability; and enabling more sustainable and equitable management of marine resources.

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Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Sr. Communications Manager, CFT
chip@fisheriestransparency.net
+1 518-669-3936

Transparency takes center stage at Our Ocean Conference

Last month at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, fisheries transparency took center stage.

The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency delegation joined the conference and used the opportunity to advance transparency issues among a broad audience of policymakers, partners, funders, and the media.

A signature outcome of the conference was the signing of 16 countries to the Mombasa Declaration, a commitment to advance global fisheries transparency and strengthen efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The Mombasa Declaration united countries committed to strengthening ocean governance and building support and momentum for the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. The Declaration was announced at a press conference featuring Hon. Emelia Arthur, Ghana’s Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, and was celebrated at an evening reception sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative and Oceana, along with the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, Environmental Justice Foundation, and Global Fishing Watch, called “Celebrating Global Momentum for Transparency at Sea.”

The signing of the Declaration attracted wide attention at the conference and made ripples across local, regional and global media. It also launched a year-long campaign to build support for more countries to sign the Declaration, including a dedicated campaign landing page at mombasadeclaration.org.

CFT, along with Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative, Oceana, Environmental Justice Foundation, Global Fishing Watch, and Stop Illegal Fishing, organized an official side event titled “From Africa to the World: Scaling Fisheries Transparency Reforms.” This event spotlighted the leadership in fisheries transparency exhibited by African governments across the continent, and how nations in West, Central, and Southern Africa have turned commitments into action, the impacts of these policies on livelihoods and enforcement, and lessons for countries all over the world.

Prior to the conference, the CFT team, in coordination with partners, organized a two-day press trip to locations on the Kenyan coast, working with local partners to meet fishers engaged on transparency issues. The group heard from a group of longtime fishers from the town of Malindi, who are concerned about their lack of information about international trawlers encroaching on their traditional fishing waters. And in the tiny island village of Mkwiro, locals are working with Coastal and Marine Resource Development (COMRED) to train community members to collect catch data and make management decisions.

Overall, Our Ocean 2026 highlighted the need and benefits for increased transparency if we are to create space for equitable ecosystem and social outcomes. Now, leveraging the Mombasa Declaration, the Coalition is spearheading meaningful changes on-the-ground and in multilateral bodies working with our global partners.

Whose boat is this? Launching our Second UK Report in Westminster

On 30 June 2026, the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) launched its second UK report, Whose boat is this? Ultimate Beneficial Ownership in UK fishing, at a parliamentary roundtable in Westminster. The event, chaired by Lloyd Hatton MP, brought together parliamentarians and experts to address the key reforms required to identify who is really profiting from illegal fishing activity.

The report’s findings bring to light a worrying reality: the UK has currently no effective system to publicly identify who ultimately owns or profits from commercial fishing vessels under its jurisdiction. This creates a gap that allows dodgy operators engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to operate without scrutiny.

The roundtable was attended by panelists Barry Gardiner MP, Kyle Lischak of ClientEarth, Margot Mollat of Transparency International UK, and Lawrence Marzout of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, who discussed the implementation of Principle 3 of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency and how greater transparency can strengthen accountability, deter environmental crime, and support sustainable fisheries management.

This launch marks an important milestone for CFT’s UK advocacy, highlighting the need to strengthen the enforcement of company disclosure requirements and restrict access to UK waters for commercial vessels with opaque ownership so as to close loopholes allowing anonymity to persist. We thank the APPG for Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax and APPG on International Conservation for sponsoring the event and look forward to working with policymakers to strengthen the UK’s framework on vessel ownership to protect both people and oceans.

📄 Read the report summary

📄 Read the full report

🎧 Listen to Oceanographic Magazine’s podcast on our report

Sixteen Countries Adopt Mombasa Declaration to Advance Fisheries Transparency and Combat Illegal Fishing

Mombasa, Kenya – 17 June, 2026 – Sixteen national governments from across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific today adopted the Mombasa Declaration at the 11th Our Ocean Conference, committing to advance global fisheries transparency and strengthen efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Mombasa Declaration is a call to action for coastal and flag States on fisheries transparency, with a particular focus on better collection and dissemination of vessel information and allowing for better access to fisheries data. It builds support and momentum for the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, which outlines 10 low-cost or no-cost policy principles that governments can adopt globally, in law and in practice.

Endorsed at Our Ocean by a diverse coalition of countries – including Belgium, Cameroon, Chile, Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, France (on behalf of its overseas territories), Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Somalia, and South Korea – the Mombasa Declaration unites nations committed to strengthening ocean governance and leading global action on fisheries transparency. Once adopted, signatory countries will begin putting the Declaration into action. The signing launches a campaign for other nations to join the effort in advance of the next Our Ocean Conference in 2027.

Coastal communities, small-scale fishers, and economies that depend on marine wildlife bear the brunt of IUU fishing, which threatens livelihoods, food security, and the long-term health of ocean ecosystems. The Mombasa Declaration responds to these challenges by advancing practical transparency measures, outlined in the Global Charter, to improve access to information on vessel ownership, licensing, and fishing activity; strengthening accountability; and enabling more sustainable and equitable management of marine resources.

Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ghana, said, “In my country, our very existence depends on fish. Sixty percent of our animal protein comes from fish, and ten percent of our population depends on the fisheries value chain for livelihood. Fisheries are a matter of culture and national security for us. I’m happy that Ghana is among the first countries to sign the Mombasa Declaration, because it provides a platform for all of us, the different governments, to come together and declare on an international platform that we are working together, fighting together for transparency in the fisheries sector.”

Madame Catherine Chabaud, Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fishery, France, said, “France is proud to be among the first supporters of the Mombasa Declaration on Fisheries Transparency, through its Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). This initiative is based on a simple conviction: we will not be able to effectively combat IUU fishing without greater transparency and international cooperation. The Declaration provides an important opportunity for governments to demonstrate their political commitment to improving fisheries governance. We hope that many more countries will join this initiative and implement the commitments it promotes, making transparency the norm in the fisheries sector.”

The Mombasa Declaration was developed with support from the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency and its partners, including academics and practitioners, who are working with governments to advance increased transparency and accountability in fisheries governance and management.

Through the Declaration, signatory countries commit to advancing concrete transparency reforms, including modernizing vessel registries, publishing fishing authorizations, and strengthening information-sharing to support enforcement and accountability across fisheries sectors.

IUU fishing is a pervasive global challenge that undermines coastal communities, distorts markets, and weakens sound ocean governance. Experts estimate this costs the global economy up to $50 billion annually, while depriving legitimate fishers—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—of income and access to resources. IUU fishing contributes to declining fish stocks, threatening food security and livelihoods, and is often linked to serious human rights abuses, including unsafe working conditions and forced labor. Limited transparency in vessel ownership, tracking, and fishing activity and supply chains allows these practices to persist, making stronger access to reliable fisheries data and accountability mechanisms essential to protecting marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Maisie Pigeon, director of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, said, “There is growing recognition that a productive and sustainable blue economy depends on strong ocean governance, effective monitoring, and accessible data. The countries signing the Mombasa Declaration today represent a diverse range of economies and geographies, demonstrating that momentum for transparency at sea is truly global. We look forward to working with these countries and others to advance meaningful fisheries reforms.”

Beth Lowell, Vice President at Oceana, said: “For too long, fisheries have operated far from shore, with inadequate oversight and opaque supply chains. These fishing practices have depleted fish stocks, undermined coastal communities, and enabled illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and human rights abuses. Transparency is essential to protecting our oceans and the livelihoods of those that depend on them. The Mombasa Declaration signals that governments around the world are ready to act against illegal fishing, and to work together for a more transparent, equitable, and sustainable ocean for all.”

Steve Trent, CEO and Founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, said: “Transparency is how we expose abuses, support coastal communities, and rebuild trust that fisheries can be managed sustainably and fairly. I applaud the leadership of every state endorsing the Mombasa Declaration today, and urge others to follow.”

Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch, said: “For too long, illegal fishing has thrived in the dark. Today’s Mombasa Declaration is a turning point in changing that reality. When governments commit to transparency — sharing vessel identities, ownership or tracking data — they create an interconnected network where bad actors have nowhere left to hide. Global Fishing Watch stands ready to equip these nations with the open data and analytical power to drive these transparency measures forward.”

Antha Williams, who leads the Environment Program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said: “The countries that have endorsed the Mombasa Declaration are sending a clear signal that transparency is essential to a healthy ocean and sustainable fisheries. By improving access to reliable data, governments can make better decisions to manage marine resources. This declaration reflects a shared commitment to greater transparency in global fisheries, and we look forward to supporting efforts to turn this vision into meaningful action for coastal communities and marine ecosystems.”

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Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Sr. Communications Manager, CFT
chip@fisheriestransparency.net
+1 518-669-3936

On IUU Day, CFT urges the APPG on Fisheries to Make Fisheries Transparency a Priority

London – 5 June 2026 – On the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) urges the APPG on Fisheries to fully include the implementation of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency in its Action Plan for a Thriving and Sustainable UK Fishing Industry.

35% of global fish stocks are currently fished unsustainably. The UK is not immune to this, with cod – a staple for fish and chips – being severely depleted, and mackerel being removed from supermarket shelves due to overfishing concerns. In total, half of the UK’s top ten fish stocks are either critically low, overexploited, or both.

UK seas are not free from IUU fishing either. Serious occurrences of illegal fishing and human rights violations of crew operating in British waters have been reported in recent years. To tackle this, the CFT is calling on the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries to ensure that transparency and accountability are at the heart of the national Action Plan it is currently developing. This is vital for the UK to lead in the fight against IUU fishing nationally and globally.

Vivien Deloge, CFT UK Coordinator, said “The UK has currently implemented two out of ten principles of the Global Charter for Fisheries for Fisheries Transparency. The APPG on Fisheries’ Action Plan is an opportunity to call for the UK to go further, in particular on beneficial ownership information, seafood traceability, transparency of activity information, and remote electronic monitoring (REM) of fishing vessels.”

Kyle Lischak, Head of UK at ClientEarth, said “A key structural challenge facing the UK fishing sector is the lack of transparency over who ultimately owns and benefits from commercial fishing activity. It is indeed often difficult to determine who ultimately owns or controls fishing vessels. Strengthening beneficial ownership transparency would support both enforcement and the long-term sustainability of the sector.”

Steve Trent, CEO at the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), said “The public deserve to know that the seafood they are buying is not the product of environmental destruction or bonded, forced and slave labour. Fisheries transparency is the key to establishing who has caught what, when, where, and how – without it we cannot give consumers that assurance nor hold bad actors to account. The UK is importing over a quarter of its seafood imports from the worst offending countries for illegal fishing, yet critical border checks on these imports are at record lows. The UK must urgently strengthen and increase scrutiny of the seafood it imports if the UK is to avoid becoming a dumping ground for fish tainted by illegal fishing and human rights abuses.”

Lucy Kay, Public Affairs Manager (England) at Open Seas, said “Knowing that fishing vessels licensed to fish in UK waters are operating responsibly and abiding by the rules is a key to strengthening trust in UK-sourced fish and seafood products. Publishing information on fishing vessel compliance is a low cost step that will help instill confidence that seafood from the UK is responsibly sourced. Alongside this, improving on-the-water monitoring of catches will provide better data for trusted and evidence-led fisheries management, and deter vessel operators from breaching fishing regulations, helping to tackle major issues like wasteful and illegal discarding.”

The implementation of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency will help ensure transparent, equitable, and well-governed fisheries, free from harmful fishing practices and human rights and labour abuses, for the benefit of people and the ocean.

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The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency is a global network of more than sixty global civil society organisations that work together to improve transparency and accountability in fisheries governance and management. ClientEarth, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and Open Seas are leading the Coalition’s efforts in the United Kingdom to accelerate the adoption of the Principles of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. Their work aims to help the UK champion effective fisheries governance globally to strengthen the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Learn more at fisheriestransparency.net.

Contact: Vivien Deloge
UK Coordinator, CFT
vivien@fisheriestransparency.net
+44 79 084 2 6505

Coalition for Fisheries Transparency welcomes the UK’s ratification of IMO Cape Town Agreement

London – 14 May 2026 – The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) welcomes the UK’s ratification of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Cape Town Agreement, a major ocean treaty which will protect fisher safety at sea, advance fisheries transparency and help deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The UK is demonstrating its leadership by achieving Principle 8 of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency.

The UK has become the first State to ratify the IMO Cape Town Agreement since its full ratification in February 2026. This international treaty establishes global minimum safety standards for large commercial fishing vessels (24 m and above) that can operate on the high seas. These cover key parameters such as vessel stability and seaworthiness, fire safety, life-saving appliances, emergency procedures and radiocommunications.

The UK’s ratification comes just a few days after the National Fishing Remembrance Day 2026, held last Sunday. This day of commemoration reminds us that fishing has long been deemed one of the most dangerous professions in the world by the United Nations. It is estimated that more than 100,000 fishers die in the global fishing sector annually.

Vivien Deloge, UK Coordinator of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, said “The UK has now ratified all three treaties aiming to fight IUU fishing; by doing so, it has successfully achieved Principle 8 of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency on the international IUU treaty framework, and positions itself as a clear international leader promoting safe, legal and sustainable fishing. I commend the UK for its ratification as an act of international solidarity, highlighting the need for global minimum safety standards for the benefits of all fishers worldwide.”

The Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency is a set of ten easy-to-implement principles aiming to address the lack of transparency in three critical areas: vessel information, fishing activity, and fisheries governance and management. The UK has been a supporter of the Global Charter since October 2024.

Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, said “The UK’s ratification of the IMO Cape Town Agreement demonstrates the international momentum for ocean action in general, and fisher safety at sea in particular. I invite all IMO States to build on this momentum and ratify the Cape Town Agreement to increase fisheries transparency and support the fight against IUU fishing, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 14.4.” (tbc)

Lord Robin Teverson, member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries and APPG for the Ocean, said “Safety at sea should never be taken for granted, and the UK’s ratification is a strong signal that the lives of every fisher worldwide matter. Ratification of the Cape Town Agreement is a key component of the IUU Fishing Action Alliance that the UK co-founded in 2022, and the UK is the only founding member to have delivered on this commitment.”

Chris Williams, Fisheries Section Coordinator at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), said “For too long, fishing has remained one of the world’s most dangerous industries, with too many fishers paying the price for weak safety standards and poor oversight. The UK’s ratification of the Cape Town Agreement is a significant step towards ensuring that every fisher, regardless of where they work, is protected by international safety standards. Stronger regulation and transparency at sea are essential not only to safeguard lives, but also to tackling illegal fishing and promoting decent work across the global fishing industry.”

Olivia Swift, Head of Maritime Systems at the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, said “Fishing is a vital industry, but it remains far too dangerous. The Cape Town Agreement sets out practical, lifesaving standards that protect fishers and shine a light on vessels operating on the high seas. The UK’s ratification is an important step towards a safer, more transparent global fishing system.”

With the UK’s ratification, the Cape Town Agreement now includes 29 Parties with 3,859 fishing vessels. It will enter into force in February 2027. The Agreement will enhance transparency by allowing parties to inspect foreign-flagged fishing vessels, even if their flag State has not ratified the treaty.

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Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Sr. Communications Manager, CFT
chip@fisheriestransparency.net
+1 518-669-3936

As Attenborough turns 100, the call to tackle illegal fishing has never been more urgent

London – 8 May 2026 – Environmental groups are calling for the UK Government to honour Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday by taking rapid action to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and implement the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. 1 in 5 fish caught globally are linked to IUU fishing, while around 90% of the world’s fish populations are already overexploited or fished to their limits.

Attenborough’s 2025 documentary Ocean caused shockwaves across the country, showing the devastating impacts of bottom trawling on the seafloor for the very first time on screen. The documentary also highlighted the issues of bycatch, overfishing caused by subsidies, and made the case for marine protected areas.

The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) – a global network of more than 60 civil society organizations pushing for accountability in fisheries management – says the best way to honour Attenborough’s achievements would be for the UK to implement the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, a set of 10 principles designed to tackle the leading causes of lack of transparency that contributes to IUU fishing activities. They are low- or no-cost, and can be implemented by any nation immediately.

Countries around the world – including the UK – are supporting the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency to shine a light into the dark corners of the fishing industry, from human rights abuses and modern slavery to illegally caught seafood.

Vivien Deloge, UK Coordinator of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, said, “Sir David Attenborough’s lifework obliges us to act without delay for safe, legal, and sustainable fishing, and emphasises more than ever the relevance of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency to that end.

“The CFT commends the UK Government for supporting the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency; we stand ready to assist them in implementing its ten principles and champion effective fisheries governance globally.”

Kyle Lischak, Head of UK at ClientEarth, said “Cracking down on IUU fishing is one of the most powerful actions we can take to protect our precious blue planet. Honouring Attenborough’s contributions in the UK by embracing the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency would be a major step forward and help tackle the worst offenders, protecting British coastal communities in the process.”

Lucy Kay, Public Affairs Manager (England) at Open Seas, said: “Sir David Attenborough has inspired for generations – bringing the natural world into our homes and highlighting not just how extraordinary our planet is, but how fragile as well. The oceans are no exception.

“His 100th birthday is a reminder of the responsibility we all share for protecting the natural systems we rely on, at sea and on shore. Transparent management of our seas, and the fisheries that depend on a healthy marine environment is an essential step to safeguard the seabed habitats and marine wildlife around the UK.”

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Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Sr. Communications Manager, CFT
chip@fisheriestransparency.net
+1 518-669-3936

Full Ratification of Cape Town Agreement Advances Global Fisheries Transparency

Washington, D.C. – February 25, 2026 – The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) welcomes the full ratification of the Cape Town Agreement, a major ocean treaty aiming to protect fishers’ lives at sea, which will help deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and is a key component of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency.

The Cape Town Agreement is a binding treaty through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) designed to enhance the safety of crew working on large commercial fishing vessels through essential safety standards on fire safety, life-saving appliances, emergency procedures, radiocommunications, vessel stability, and seaworthiness. Until the Cape Town Agreement enters into force, there are no mandatory global safety regulations for fishing vessels.

With the ratification of the Solomon Islands, South Korea and Argentina, the Cape Town Agreement for the Safety of Fishing Vessels is now fully ratified, with 28 Parties representing 3,754 fishing vessels, paving the way for its entry into force in a year’s time.

Maisie Pigeon, Director of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, said “While fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, the Cape Town Agreement will ensure global minimum safety standards are in place for the benefit of all fishers operating on large commercial fishing vessels worldwide. This Agreement is a key measure of worker safety as outlined in the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency and will lead to a more transparent, accountable, and sustainable global ocean.”

Fishing remains an extremely dangerous occupation, with a recent study showing more than 100,000 fatalities annually in the global fishing sector. Vessel safety and IUU fishing are closely linked, as operators who engage in IUU are less likely to maintain adequate working conditions, training, or safety equipment, according to the United Nations.

With an estimated 45,000 fishing vessels over 24 meters in length across the world, the Cape Town Agreement holds immense potential to enhance the safety standards of large-scale fisheries. Safe and healthy crews are an essential part of successful fisheries, making the Cape Town Agreement an important instrument alongside other standards including the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Port States Measures Agreement and the International Labor Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention (No. C188).

Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, said, “I welcome the full ratification of the IMO Cape Town Agreement. It represents a double win for the world: firstly, for the safety of fishers around the world and thereby the well-being of their families; and secondly, for the International Maritime Organization’s momentum. Coming on the heels of the ratification of the BBNJ High Seas Treaty and the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the ratification of the IMO Cape Town Agreement is turning 2026 into a watershed year for ocean action.”

Milko Schvartzman, Oceans Program coordinator at the Círculo de Políticas Ambientales (Argentina), said, “The Cape Town Agreement will impose stricter global standards on crew safety and working conditions. Once in force, it will help combat human exploitation, resource depletion, and IUU fishing—particularly in vulnerable regions like the Southwest Atlantic. Its entry into force now with Argentina’s ratification will not only save lives at sea but also strengthen the fight against IUU fishing that severely affects developing countries across Latin America.”

Safety at sea became a global priority following the Titanic disaster in 1912. While diplomatic efforts led to the adoption of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea in 1974 – which applies to shipping vessels – no equivalent treaty ever entered into force for fishing vessels, despite multiple attempts in 1977 and 1993.

Vivien Deloge, UK Coordinator of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, said, “The upcoming entry into force of the Cape Town Agreement will put an end to a very long wait – half a century – to grant fishers international standards of protection at sea. The Coalition encourages all remaining IMO Member States to follow suit and ratify the Agreement to ensure its widespread implementation so as to further advance fisheries transparency worldwide.”

Parties to the Cape Town Agreement will have the possibility to inspect the safety of fishing vessels and their crews, enhancing transparency of fishing activities and strengthening safe, legal and sustainable fishing worldwide.

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Contact:

Chip Weiskotten, Sr. Communications Manager, CFT

chip@fisheriestransparency.net

+1 518-669-3936

Beyond Compliance: How Papua New Guinea’s Tuna Fleet Built a Self-Sustaining Model for Worker Protection at Sea

A decade-long journey from assessment to transparency leadership

When the Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea began examining labor conditions across its operations in 2012, it faced a question that confronts every major fishing operation: how do you protect workers on vessels that spend months at sea, often thousands of miles from port?

Thirteen years later, FIA PNG—whose fleet accounts for 18% of global tuna catches—has arrived at an answer that challenges the industry’s traditional approach to worker welfare. Rather than treating social accountability as a compliance exercise, they’ve built what they call a “self-sustaining system” that combines real-time digital traceability, multiple verification layers, and operational transparency that extends to sharing vessel locations with the public.

These actions are laudable on their own – but they also highlight a larger opportunity, one at the heart of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency – that it is possible to improve human, sustainability and environmental outcomes globally when countries take initiatives aligned with global best practices in these areas.

The Evolution of an Approach

The journey began conventionally enough. In 2012, the Forum Fisheries Agency commissioned social accountability assessments of FIA PNG’s shore-based processing facilities using the SA8000 standard. By 2014, those facilities had achieved third-party certifications through BSCI and SEDEX/SMETA. These certifications involve “worker‑welfare checks” that sit alongside environmental and traceability standards, showing that PNG’s onshore factories are being scrutinised for human rights risks as well as for product quality.

But tuna fishing presents challenges that factory work doesn’t. Fishing vessels operate in isolation. Crew members may be at sea for extended periods. The physical distance from regulatory oversight creates inherent vulnerability—and opportunity for abuse, well documented in reports like this from the Environmental Justice Foundation.

FIA PNG’s response was to extend its shore-based systems offshore, but not through simple replication. Instead, they developed an integrated framework anchored by their Responsible Sourcing Policy, launched in 2018, which established social responsibility and crew welfare as one of its core pillars alongside marine stewardship certification, traceability, and marine litter management.

The implementation details reveal the substance behind the policy language:

Multiple verification layers: The organization employs internal audits by member companies, second-party audits by qualified FIA PNG auditors, and third-party certification audits. This isn’t redundant—it creates overlapping accountability that catches what any single system might miss.

Technology-enabled monitoring: Since 2022, FIA PNG has shared real-time vessel monitoring data with Global Fishing Watch, making vessel locations publicly visible. This seemingly simple transparency measure addresses a root cause of forced labor at sea: isolation. When vessels operate in full public view, the risk calculus changes fundamentally.

Embedded data requirements: In 2023, FIA PNG integrated Social Accountability Key Data Elements into its Fishing Industry Management System—requiring documentation of worker protections trip by trip, vessel by vessel. This moves social accountability from periodic audits to continuous operational data, the same way safety or catch data is tracked.

Government oversight integration: Papua New Guinea’s National Fisheries Authority maintains 100% observer coverage on all vessels and operates 24/7 vessel monitoring systems. The PNG government’s 2022 agreement to share vessel monitoring data with Global Fishing Watch in real time represented a significant commitment to transparency—making FIA PNG the only tuna fleet operating with this level of public visibility from 2022 through 2024.

What the Numbers Represent

By 2022, 32 tuna purse seiners had achieved FISH (Fairness, Integrity, Safety, and Health) standard certification, directly impacting working conditions for more than 2,300 crew members. As of the current reporting period, 80% of the fleet has undergone combined internal, second-party, and third-party audits.

These figures matter not because they represent perfection—no system does—but because they demonstrate systematic implementation across a major fleet. This is scale that moves industry benchmarks.

The “No Silver Bullet” Principle

Perhaps the most significant aspect of FIA PNG’s approach is its explicit rejection of what they call “a single bullet solution.” Their Modern Slavery Statement deliberately positions worker protection as requiring multiple, reinforcing mechanisms:

Government oversight (100% observer coverage and continuous vessel monitoring)
Industry self-regulation (internal audit protocols and member screening)
Third-party verification (FISH certification, MSC fishery certification)
Digital traceability (the iFIMS system providing near real-time trip-by-trip monitoring)
Operational transparency (public vessel tracking through Global Fishing Watch)
Documented procedures (Social Accountability Key Data Elements embedded in operational systems)

No single element is sufficient. Together, they create what resilience theorists would call redundancy—when one system has gaps, others catch what falls through.

What This Means for Global Practice

FIA PNG’s trajectory from 2012 assessment to 2025 implementation offers several lessons for the broader industry:

First, meaningful worker protection requires operational integration, not compliance separation. When social accountability sits in a CSR department disconnected from fishing operations, it remains vulnerable to being deprioritized under operational pressure. When it’s embedded in trip-by-trip data requirements and operational systems, it becomes as routine as catch reporting.

Second, transparency creates accountability that audits alone cannot. Public vessel tracking through Global Fishing Watch gives external stakeholders—NGOs, researchers, consumers, competing operators—the ability to monitor behavior in ways that make purely performative commitments harder to sustain. FIA PNG describes being “the only Tuna Fleet” operating with this level of transparency from 2022 to 2024, positioning it as “frontline increasing the bar in the Global Tuna Industry.”

Third, technology enables what geography once prevented. Real-time data integration makes continuous monitoring feasible at a scale that periodic audits cannot achieve. Digital traceability systems transform social accountability from retrospective assessment to ongoing operational oversight.

Fourth, this work requires sustained commitment over years, not quarters. FIA PNG’s timeline spans more than a decade. The progression from initial assessments to integrated systems didn’t happen rapidly, and trying to compress the timeline would likely have produced superficial rather than systemic results.

Fifth, multiple standards and frameworks work together. FIA PNG’s social accountability procedures reference more than 20 different international standards, conventions, and guidelines—from ILO Convention 188 and the Maritime Labor Convention to the FISH standard and various certification schemes. Rather than choosing one framework, they’ve built a comprehensive approach that draws on multiple sources of best practice.

The Larger Context

Forced labor and modern slavery in fishing remain urgent global challenges. According to various international estimates, hundreds of thousands of fishers work under conditions that meet the definition of forced labor. The geographic isolation, complex supply chains, and gaps in governance that characterize much of global fishing create persistent vulnerabilities.

What makes FIA PNG’s approach noteworthy isn’t that it has eliminated all risk—that would be overclaiming. Rather, it demonstrates that large-scale fishing operations can build systematic protections that make exploitation materially harder to sustain and easier to detect.

The test of any model isn’t perfection but whether it creates conditions where problems surface rather than remain hidden, where accountability is distributed rather than concentrated, and where protection mechanisms strengthen over time rather than atrophy.

By those measures, FIA PNG’s integrated approach offers a reference point for what’s possible when social accountability moves from policy aspiration to operational reality. Their commitment to public vessel tracking, embedded data systems, multiple audit layers, and continuous government oversight represents a comprehensive framework rather than a single intervention.

The journey from 2012’s initial assessments to 2025’s integrated systems demonstrates that transformation in this space is measured in years and requires coordination across government, industry, certification bodies, and technology platforms.

But it was achievable. And much more can be achieved by countries that want to improve our performance on labor, environmental and sustainability issues by using global standards and operating within the framework of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency.

Marcelo Hidalgo serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea and sits on the Worker Voice Oversight Committee and the Steering Oversight Committee for the FISH Standard for Crew.