Improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chains

Abstract Improving detectability (i.e., enforcers’ capacity to detect illegal fishing activities) is vital for fisheries management, food security, and livelihoods. Identifying factors linked to higher probabilities of illegal activities and their detection across supply chains is essential for effe...

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Main Authors: Rodrigo Oyanedel, Stefan Gelcich, E. J. Milner-Gulland, Chris Wilcox
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Ocean Sustainability
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00134-5
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author Rodrigo Oyanedel
Stefan Gelcich
E. J. Milner-Gulland
Chris Wilcox
author_facet Rodrigo Oyanedel
Stefan Gelcich
E. J. Milner-Gulland
Chris Wilcox
author_sort Rodrigo Oyanedel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Improving detectability (i.e., enforcers’ capacity to detect illegal fishing activities) is vital for fisheries management, food security, and livelihoods. Identifying factors linked to higher probabilities of illegal activities and their detection across supply chains is essential for effective interventions. Using a Bayesian Hierarchical Model and a large enforcement dataset from Chile, we evaluated determinants of detectability and violation probability across supply chain actors, species, regulations, and effort predictors. Our findings reveal an overall detectability rate of 7%, varying significantly across supply-chain actors. Notably, those higher in the supply chain, such as processors and restaurants—despite receiving less enforcement effort—show higher detection rates. This study offers insights to enhance detectability and improve enforcement targeting, particularly where budgets are constrained. Our approach complements technological advancements like satellite monitoring and supports strategies to reduce illegal fishing and promote compliance, contributing to better management and sustainability of fisheries in Chile and beyond.
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spelling doaj-art-c8388ee5bca447a6bc6d0206da2d7adb2025-08-20T03:22:49ZengNature Portfolionpj Ocean Sustainability2731-426X2025-06-014111010.1038/s44183-025-00134-5Improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chainsRodrigo Oyanedel0Stefan Gelcich1E. J. Milner-Gulland2Chris Wilcox3MAR FUTURAInstituto Milenio en Socio-Ecología Costera (SECOS)Department of Biology, University of OxfordMarine Program, WildAidAbstract Improving detectability (i.e., enforcers’ capacity to detect illegal fishing activities) is vital for fisheries management, food security, and livelihoods. Identifying factors linked to higher probabilities of illegal activities and their detection across supply chains is essential for effective interventions. Using a Bayesian Hierarchical Model and a large enforcement dataset from Chile, we evaluated determinants of detectability and violation probability across supply chain actors, species, regulations, and effort predictors. Our findings reveal an overall detectability rate of 7%, varying significantly across supply-chain actors. Notably, those higher in the supply chain, such as processors and restaurants—despite receiving less enforcement effort—show higher detection rates. This study offers insights to enhance detectability and improve enforcement targeting, particularly where budgets are constrained. Our approach complements technological advancements like satellite monitoring and supports strategies to reduce illegal fishing and promote compliance, contributing to better management and sustainability of fisheries in Chile and beyond.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00134-5
spellingShingle Rodrigo Oyanedel
Stefan Gelcich
E. J. Milner-Gulland
Chris Wilcox
Improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chains
npj Ocean Sustainability
title Improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chains
title_full Improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chains
title_fullStr Improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chains
title_full_unstemmed Improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chains
title_short Improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chains
title_sort improving detectability of illegal fishing activities across supply chains
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00134-5
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AT ejmilnergulland improvingdetectabilityofillegalfishingactivitiesacrosssupplychains
AT chriswilcox improvingdetectabilityofillegalfishingactivitiesacrosssupplychains