Recent Developments in Compliance and Enforcement for International Fisheries

The notion that a species can only be effectively managed if it is subject to coordinated conservation measures throughout its range is central to ecosystem management. Yet straddling fish stocks, such as pollock and cod, and highly migratory fish stocks, such as tuna, do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. Species of both types range beyond areas of exclusive coastal state jurisdiction and into the high seas, where states must agree on conservation measures and, traditionally, depend on each vessel's flag state to enforce such measures. The migratory nature of certain ocean fish species presents a daunting challenge to their effective management. This Article considers recent international developments that address the special problems presented for effective management by straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks. It focuses on mechanisms for ensuring compliance with, and enforcement of, international conservation and management agreements for such stocks.