According to Norwegian government figures, more than 100,000 tonnes of illegal cod, valued at €225 million ($US350 million), was caught in the Barents Sea in 2005.

Concerted efforts by industry, government and NGOs to clamp down on this illegal activity has seen illegal landings cut by 50 per cent, but illegal fishing for Alaska pollack in the Russian Far-East remains a problem.

While investigation into illegal fishing in the Russian Far-East is less exhaustive than in the Barents Sea, the new report, illegal fishing in Arctic Waters, shows that in the Sea of Okhotsk alone, illegal landings of Alaska pollack can reach a value of more than €45 million ($US70 million) annually. The economic loss to the legitimate fishing industry and public purse is estimated at €210 million ($US327 million).

“Illegal fishing in the Arctic is a serious transnational crime crossing European, African, Asian and American borders.” said Dr Neil Hamilton, director of WWF International’s Arctic Programme.

“Cheats are putting short-term profits ahead of the long-term survival of Arctic fisheries.”

About 70 per cent of the world’s white fish supply comes from the Arctic, with the world’s last large cod stock found in the Barents Sea. The Russian Alaska pollack and Barents Sea cod catches analysed in the report together account for about a quarter of the world’s white fish supply.

Barents Sea cod is taken mainly by Norwegian, Russian and EU fishers, while the bulk of the Alaska pollack catch, fished mainly in the Western Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk, is taken by Russian fleets with China the largest buyer.

With markets spread across the globe, the distribution of black market cod and pollack is a global problem.

“If you’re enjoying bacalhau in Brazil, fish and chips in the UK, or frozen fillets in Germany you could be unwittingly supporting black-market cod,” said Maren Esmark, marine director at WWF-Norway.

“Progress in tackling illegal fishing for cod in the Barents Sea should be applauded, but the positive trend may not continue as illegal products can find new ways to international markets.”

WWF is heavily involved in efforts to increase the traceability of fish from catch to consumer, and also to improve the level and reliability of information for end consumers.

These efforts also reach into the Arctic, where significant elements of the US Pacific cod and walleye (Alaska) pollack fisheries have achieved Marine Stewardship Council certification as sustainable fisheries.

WWF is concerned about the ability of Arctic fish to cope with climate change, with illegal fishing being an added stress that can reduce the capacity of fish populations to adapt and survive.

WWF is also alarmed that several EU member states are opposing the current European Commission proposal to address illegal fishing, and the EU risks losing a key opportunity to tackle this problem.

“We urge all EU countries to support the commission’s proposal to deal with illegal fishing, and appeal to processors, retailers and consumers to not support criminality in fishing,” said Esmark.

“Companies should not trade with vessels known to fish illegally, and consumers should demand the seafood they buy comes from a sustainable, legal source.”

Responding to WWF's report, Seafish head of environment, Philip MacMullen, says: “Seafish condemns all forms of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and is working actively with the seafood industry to squeeze all illegal fish out of the marketplace.

“IUU fishing can be a serious problem, particularly in international waters, however major importers to the UK carry out strict audit checks to ensure their Alaska Pollock is sourced responsibly. In addition, consumers can purchase Marine Stewardship Council’s certified, sustainable, and legally-sourced Alaska Pollock.

“This year, Seafish and the industry are working on new risk-based audit standards to restrict the entry of IUU-sourced into European markets.

“Seafish has also recently released a Responsible Sourcing Guide for Alaska Pollock, which includes independent and peer-reviewed advice for fish buyers on this species’ stock status and management measures around the world.”

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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