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Crime in the Australian fishing industry : key issues

Abstract

This paper is part of a two stage project the Australian Institute of Criminology is conducting on crime in the fishing industry. It presents key findings of the stage one research and focuses chiefly on illegal fishing activity in the commercial sector. The paper outlines different varieties of illegal activity in the fishing industry, describes the market for high-value, low-volume fish products such as abalone, shark fin and seahorse, and considers whether Australian fisheries legislation and enforcement can adequately respond to the threat of criminal exploitation of vulnerable species. The paper concludes by suggesting possible solutions to this threat, which can only be combated by a range of effective operational, legislative and educational strategies implemented uniformly across jurisdictions and bolstered by international support and cooperation.

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