The Number of Small Fishing Vessels Smuggling Illegal Drugs Has Tripled

Authors

Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine
Aldo Chircop, Marine & Environmental Law Institute, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaFollow

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

2020

Keywords

Smuggling, Illegal Drugs, International Drug Trade, Small Vessels

Abstract

The story of how illegal drugs make their way across the ocean often starts with a failing or banned fishing fleet in a marginalized coastal community. The reasons vary, but depleted seafood stocks from overfishing in areas of Asia, polluted waters in the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, and the declaration of a new marine protected area in the Caribbean have all stopped fishers from earning their livelihood and sparked some vessels to turn to shipping illicit substances, according to an international team of researchers who recently analyzed drug busts.

Comments

Professor Aldo Chircop was interviewed for this article by Joshua Rapp Learn. Professor Chircop is quoted in paragraphs 10-11.

Recommended Citation

Joshua Rapp Learn, "The Number of Small Fishing Vessels Smuggling Illegal Drugs Has Tripled", Smithsonian Magazine (12 November 2020), online: < www.smithsonianmag.com > [perma.cc/Q8AJ-AX5L].