Fernandez, LovellSiwale, Winjie2017-07-242024-04-022017-07-242024-04-022016https://hdl.handle.net/10566/10292Magister Legum - LLMThe importance of the fisheries sector to world sustenance is extensive, ranging from being a source of employment and protein for subsistence farmers, particularly in developing countries, to providing social and economic opportunities for food security and environmental protection. It is estimated that the fisheries sector assures the livelihoods of 10 percent to 12 percent of the world’s population. Most countries have, however, neglected to formulate effective policies to manage this sector and to give it adequate attention, despite its value to the health and wealth of a nation. The need to devote more attention to the fisheries sector is pressing, given the rising demand for fish, which has resulted in over-exploitation of fish reserves. De Coning and Witbooi postulate that ‘85% of worldwide fish stocks are now over and fully exploited, with 53% being fully exploited, therefore these fisheries cannot be expanded’. This, in turn, has led to difficulties in maintaining ecosystems. This over-exploitation of fish and other edible freshwater resources is not restricted to small-scale inland fishing activities, but extends also to the oceans.enFisheries crimeTransnational organised crimeUnregulated fishingIllegal, unreported and unregulated fishingUniversity of the Western Cape