Hidden boat ownership risks fuelling illegal fishing in British waters, according to a report published by NGO ClientEarth.
In its ‘Whose Boat Is This’ study, the organisation found holes in UK law were potentially benefiting ships engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
UK law does not require ultimate boat ownership (UBO) disclosure and using publicly available data, the organisation could only establish UBO in 24% of UK-flagged, or quota-holding vessels. At the same time, it was impossible in 39% of cases.
Although recognising the UK’s efforts to tackle IUU fishing and improve fisheries transparency, ClientEarth said the country “falls short of implementing the highest standards domestically”.
“The core problem is simple: the government does not publicly identify who really owns many of the vessels commercially fishing UK waters to a clear and satisfactory extent,” said Kyle Lischak, head of UK at ClientEarth. “This lack of transparency around vessel ownership, which limits accountability, allows for unlawful fishing practices to potentially occur.”
He added: “Law-abiding UK fishers may be left competing with operators who do not play by the same rules.”
The UK already has tools to improve transparency in fishing including company ownership rules and new verification powers, but the organisation said the country would need to go further to keep its credibility on ocean governance.
It has called on the government to require UBO disclosure at commercial fishing vessel registration and licensing stages; lower ownership thresholds to “make it harder to hide”; and publish UBO data in a publicly available register.
ClientEarth also urged tougher enforcement measures, such as restrictions on UK waters access for commercial vessels with opaque ownership and closing loopholes that currently allow anonymity to persist.
“These reforms would strengthen enforcement, protect UK fishers, and build public trust,” Lischak added. “The solution is practical and achievable with existing tools. It is now up to the UK to act.”
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