Temperatures rising: Illegal and unregulated fisheries, climate change, and armed conflict at sea

From rising tensions in the Arctic to geopolitical spillover in the Red and Black seas and direct threats to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic, the oceans — increasingly recognized as a vital part of the global economy and ecology — have become a locale of armed conflict. As illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing grows in scale and spreads in geography, this too threatens to become a vector of insecurity. Both state and nonstate actors are engaged in this activity, which threatens livelihoods and regional stability.

On Thursday, February 1, Brookings and World Wildlife Fund USA hosted a discussion on the changing dynamics of IUU fishing and conflict to help forge a better understanding of the relationships at play and the options for prevention. The event offered a roadmap for improved policy and examine the progress and opportunities, new data, technologies, and partnerships available to help manage potential conflict.

Viewers submitted questions via email to [email protected] and on Twitter/X @BrookingsFP using #OceansConflict.

This event was part of our Seas and Strategy series.