The protection of women in illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing

The protection of people against forced labour and human trafficking at sea and in particular in connection with illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUUF) is often a neglected topic. At sea, fishers are simply ‘out of sight, out of mind’. The abuse of women and girls in connection with IUUF has also not caught the full attention of law enforcement. Although there is a clear connection with IUUF, most instances of abuse of women and girls take place onshore, within fishing and coastal communities. This brief note attempts to draw attention to the reality of women that are victims of abuse in connection with IUUF, and the shortcomings of international law to effectively protect them at sea and onshore.