WWF-UK: Anarchy on high seas under flags of convenience
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Anarchy on high seas under flags of convenience
Thursday 26 June 2008
Thousands of ships sailing the world's oceans are effectively without nationality, enabling their owners to easily evade international laws and resulting in illegal activities such as pirate fishing, arms smuggling and people trafficking.
These are the findings of Real and Present Danger: Flag State Failure and Maritime Security and Safety, a report published by WWF-UK and the International Transport Workers' Federation.
Flags of convenience
The report explains how the murky system of registering vessels to countries offering Flags of Convenience (FoC) is fuelling the problem. Those falling into this category dominate lists on sub-standard shipping, poor safety, maltreatment of crew, and pollution of the marine environment.
Dr Simon Walmsley, head of marine at WWF-UK, said: "FoC countries often exercise little or no control over how ships registered to fly their flags operate. At a time when our oceans are facing multiple pressures from climate change, oil and gas developments, and over-fishing, the last thing these countries should be doing is turning a blind eye to illegal activities."
Pirate fishing
The report raises concerns about illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing – worth an estimated US$1.2 billion each year.
According to Lloyd's Register of Ships, although 318 large-scale fishing vessels are registered to Cambodia, Georgia, Mongolia, North Korea, Sierra Leone and Togo, none are registered to fish in areas regulated by regional fisheries management organisations. In fact, a number of fishing vessels from five of these six countries are 'blacklisted' for having engaged in pirate fishing.
"Without transparency of ownership on the FoC registers and flag states exercising effective jurisdiction over vessels flying their flag, FoC vessels will continue to plunder marine resources on the high seas with impunity," concluded Miguel Jorge, acting Director of WWF's Global Marine Programme.
UN action needed
WWF is calling for UN action to ensure flag states make their registered ships comply with international laws and regulations.
Flags of convenience
The report explains how the murky system of registering vessels to countries offering Flags of Convenience (FoC) is fuelling the problem. Those falling into this category dominate lists on sub-standard shipping, poor safety, maltreatment of crew, and pollution of the marine environment.
Dr Simon Walmsley, head of marine at WWF-UK, said: "FoC countries often exercise little or no control over how ships registered to fly their flags operate. At a time when our oceans are facing multiple pressures from climate change, oil and gas developments, and over-fishing, the last thing these countries should be doing is turning a blind eye to illegal activities."
Pirate fishing
The report raises concerns about illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing – worth an estimated US$1.2 billion each year.
According to Lloyd's Register of Ships, although 318 large-scale fishing vessels are registered to Cambodia, Georgia, Mongolia, North Korea, Sierra Leone and Togo, none are registered to fish in areas regulated by regional fisheries management organisations. In fact, a number of fishing vessels from five of these six countries are 'blacklisted' for having engaged in pirate fishing.
"Without transparency of ownership on the FoC registers and flag states exercising effective jurisdiction over vessels flying their flag, FoC vessels will continue to plunder marine resources on the high seas with impunity," concluded Miguel Jorge, acting Director of WWF's Global Marine Programme.
UN action needed
WWF is calling for UN action to ensure flag states make their registered ships comply with international laws and regulations.
Oil spillage from the tanker Prestige
"Without transparency of ownership… FOC vessels will continue to plunder marine resources on the high seas with impunity,"
Miguel Jorge, acting director, Global Marine Programme, WWF
Related links
- Download the report summary Real and Present Danger: Flag State Failure and Maritime Security and Safety
- Visit our Marine Act Campaign website
- Adopt a dolphin
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