ⓒ Ben Dilley
The Issue
Transshipment — the practice of transferring catch from one vessel to another at sea — is a routine part of global commercial fishing. But when done without effective oversight, it can become a gateway for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. These activities often occur on the high seas, where monitoring is difficult and regulatory gaps persist. Such loopholes can be exploited to launder illegal catch and facilitate broader maritime crimes, including smuggling and human trafficking.
Panama, a key player in global fisheries with the world’s largest carrier fleet, has faced mounting international pressure to improve its monitoring and enforcement. In 2019, the European Union issued the country a so-called “yellow card“, citing Panama’s insufficient control over its flagged vessels and poor implementation of conservation and management measures. Inadequate traceability and weak enforcement of the Port State Measures Agreement further jeopardized Panama’s standing and access to international seafood markets.
Our Work
To confront these challenges and rebuild trust, Panama has undertaken sweeping reforms in fisheries governance, anchored in transparency and international cooperation. The latest milestone in this transformation is the adoption of the “Guide for Transshipment Authorization” — a policy developed by the Panama Authority of Aquatic Resources, or ARAP, in collaboration with Global Fishing Watch and the International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Network, with contributions from WildAid.
The guide outlines a standardized, step-by-step process for authorizing and monitoring transshipment events. It integrates data from Panama’s vessel monitoring system (VMS) with automatic identification system (AIS) data made publicly available through the Global Fishing Watch platform. These new procedures enhance visibility of transshipment activity and bolster compliance at sea.
The policy is the result of more than 2 years of close collaboration, during which Global Fishing Watch worked alongside Panamanian officials to understand operational realities, build capacity and identify practical opportunities to strengthen oversight. It complements other reforms, including Panama’s 2019 decision to publish international fleet tracking data, a new fisheries law in 2021 and updated regulations in 2023 that specifically address transshipment.
With the guide now in effect, Panama is reinforcing its commitment to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable livelihoods. By enhancing transshipment controls and embracing advanced monitoring technologies, Panama is setting a strong example for responsible fisheries management. The guide marks a concrete step toward greater transparency and accountability on the water.
