Transnational security issues in the Asia Pacific: fisheries and piracy

Abstract

There are a multitude of maritime security challenges for Asian States ranging from terrorism, drug-trafficking, gun running, people smuggling, interstate conflict over maritime claims, piracy and illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing. This paper touches upon two challenges - piracy and IUU fishing - primarily in the context of the security issues raised for Southeast Asian States. Its narrow focus has been scoped by participation in the Sino- Australian Research Program and it is acknowledged that maritime security issues in the region are significantly more complex that the discussion this paper permits. Nevertheless, the link between piracy and IUU fishing and the measures taken this century to curb both activities are worthy subjects of research.