According to the experts the organised crime groups around the world and even motorcycle gangs are becoming handling illegal fishing, lured mainly by demand from China for prized fish species. The Australian Institute of Criminology find out that the groups from China, Australia, Russia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Japan have all been linked to illegal fishing, with fish stocks either sold illegally or used to launder money.
According to the institute’s report on illegal fishing called for greater international cooperation to fight the black market. It revealed that criminal groups targeted prized species in demand in Asia, such as abalone, shark fins and beche-de-mer, or sea cucumber. It said in New Zealand, several coastal abalone fishing areas have been closed, with the official catch of 1,057 tonnes a year estimated to be matched by 1,000 of poached abalone.
As per the report the crime groups increased their interest in illegal fishing and so the evidence of growing cooperation between crime groups and motorcycle gangs in different countries. It also said that a wide range of criminal activities may be associated with the illegal trade, including the concealment of financial transactions and profits.
