Introduction:

The groundbreaking "Fishy Business" report is the first of its kind to delve into the impact of distant-water fishing (DWF) on the economies, employment, and well-being of five countries: Ecuador, Ghana, Peru, the Philippines, and Senegal. It fills a critical knowledge gap in fisheries by employing a unique methodology that combines fisheries expertise, data analytics, and deep learning tools to analyze registry data, satellite data, and economic, employment, and poverty indicators.   

The Challenge:

The study tackles the multifaceted challenges of unsustainable fishing, including gaps in research and a lack of a global vessel registry. This makes it difficult to track ownership and operations. Outdated data hinders effective policy interventions, while unequal power relations in fishing agreements often put developing nations at a disadvantage. Reflagging of vessels further complicates the issue, creating opaque ownership structures that are hard to monitor.   

The Solution:

The "Fishy Business" report offers a comprehensive analysis of fishing fleets in the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of five countries. Using innovative methods like deep learning and probabilistic statistics, the study exposes unsustainable practices and estimates their economic and social impacts. This transparency is crucial for promoting sustainable fishing and protecting marine biodiversity.   

Why this matters:

This study provides critical transparency in the fishing industry, enabling better management and oversight. By exposing unsustainable practices, it empowers governments, organizations, and communities to take action. The findings are a powerful call for reform, encouraging sustainable fishing and protecting our oceans.   

Results and impact:

The "Fishy Business" report has made a significant impact, with over 300 downloads and mentions in prominent media outlets like the BBC and Mongabay. It has sparked important discussions with the Philippine government and facilitated collaboration with a renowned investigative journalist on illegal fishing. The project also includes a data repository and open deep-learning algorithms. Six briefing papers tailored to the five countries involved, as well as an international perspective paper, have been created. Country toolkits have been distributed to stakeholders and policymakers in each of the five countries.

Replicate and scale up:

The study's methodology can be replicated to analyze other regions vulnerable to unsustainable fishing, particularly in the Global South. It can also be used to create a global registry for distant-water fishing fleets, promoting transparency and informed decision-making.   

Lessons learned:

The project highlighted the importance of early stakeholder engagement, including strong support from UNDP country offices. Consistent communication with the UNDP OIC team proved essential for timely completion. To reach a wider audience, a more diverse range of outputs is recommended for future projects.