Government of Canada launches international program to track illegal fishing using satellite technology

News release

February 24, 2021 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Ottawa, Ontario – Internationally, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a major contributor to the decline of fish stocks and marine habitat destruction. It also undermines the livelihoods of our legitimate fish harvesters.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has launched a new program in collaboration with the Department of National Defence, Defence Research and Development Canada's Centre for Security Science, Global Affairs Canada, and MDA to detect vessels engaging in IUU fishing, also known as "dark vessels".