How Much Do You Know About Illegal Fishing?

Take the quiz to test your knowledge about one of the top threats to the world’s ocean

Quiz June 3, 2024 Read time: 3 min

Projects: Ending Illegal Fishing

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing significantly harms not only fish populations and ocean health but also the people who rely on healthy fisheries for food and livelihoods. To draw attention to these threats, the United Nations in 2017 declared June 5 International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing.

To mark the occasion this year, The Pew Charitable Trusts is testing your knowledge of IUU fishing and its effect on the global seafood supply chain and the well-being of millions of people around the world.

How many tons of wild fish are stolen from the global ocean each year?
1. 1 million to 10 million
2. 11 million to 26 million
3. 31 million to 42 million
4. More than 45 million
5. Every year, 11 million to 26 million tons of fish—worth up to $23.5 billion—are illicitly caught around the world.
What other crimes are associated with illegal fishing?
1. Drug smuggling
2. Exploitation and human trafficking
3. Forced labor
4. All of the above
5. IUU fishing is often referred to as a “convergence crime,” because it commonly occurs in conjunction with other illegal activities. Pew is collaborating with enforcement officials around the world to build a multi-agency response to IUU fishing that incorporates expertise on the many types of crime involved.
Which treaty was designed to stop illegally caught fish from entering the market?
1. The International Labour Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention
2. The Cape Town Agreement
3. The Sustainable Seafood Treaty
4. The Port State Measures Agreement
5. In 2009, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization adopted the Port State Measures Agreement, which aims to stop illegal fishers from unloading their catch in port. The agreement entered into force on June 5, 2016. The International Labour Organization’s Work in Fishing Convention No. 188 sets basic standards for working conditions in the fishing industry. The International Maritime Organization’s Cape Town Agreement outlines safety standards for commercial fishing vessels. The Sustainable Seafood Treaty is not a real international agreement.
What are the chances that you’re buying illegally caught fish when you go to market?
1. 7%
2. 12%
3. 56%
4. 20%
5. Studies show that 1 in 5 wild-caught fish sold in markets is a product of IUU fishing.
Fisheries crimes cover a range of illegal activities in the fisheries sector, including:
1. Documentation fraud
2. Bribery and money laundering
3. Forced labor
4. All of the above
5. Fisheries crimes cover a variety of unlawful activities, including documentation fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, drug and firearms trafficking, bribery, forced labor and illicit trade. While advancements in technology and the adoption of international policies have helped to deter illegal fishers, these criminals are always looking for a new avenue to exploit.
What is the most recent estimated number of fishing-related deaths each year?
1. 24,000
2. 32,000
3. 65,000
4. 100,000
5. According to a 2022 FISH Safety Foundation study commissioned by Pew, more than 100,000 people die annually while engaged in fishing, legal or illegal. Although fishing is inherently risky, the study highlights how climate change, overfishing and IUU fishing contribute to these deaths by increasing risks at sea.
Who or what profits the most from a fishing vessel?
1. Captain
2. Ultimate beneficial owner
3. Flag State
4. Seafood buyer
5. The ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) is the person or persons who control and reap the bulk of the profits from a fishing vessel or company. The UBO is not always a vessel’s registered owner and can be difficult to identify because no international rules or requirements ensure full transparency. This is especially true for vessels that fish in waters beyond the jurisdiction of their home countries, which is increasingly the case as growing pressure on fish stocks drives many fishing vessels farther out to sea to bring in catch and profits.