ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, UNREGULATED FISHING: INTERSECTION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES, MONEY LAUNDERING AND LEGISLATIVE MECHANISMS IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

Marine ecosystems and aquatic environments are in grave danger of underwater noise emission, a by-product of human-caused activities like shipping, seismic surveys, extraction of mineral resources beneath the ocean beds, military sonar, and underwater construction. This environmental issue negatively impacts Aquatic Fauna's ability to communicate, navigate, and hunt. Besides issues like Environmental crimes such as Illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing (IUU Fishing), extraction of crude from Oil Rigs, Naval exercises, and Transportation of cargo through merchant shipping could result in harm to their health, genetical mutations, deafness, or even death. Henceforth Illegal extraction of fish and Seafood trading will lead to money laundering through supply chains, processing facilities, and transportation. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) standards, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations, the London Convention and its Protocol, and international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) are just a few of the environmental regulations which are linked to environmental offences associated with underwater noise emission. This doctrinal research paper is focused on the need for immediate action to combat Illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing through underwater noise pollution. Underwater Noise Emissions, crimes, and money laundering originating therefore can be monitored by assessing noise levels, developing best practices for noise reduction, enforcing current legislation, and organising public awareness campaigns through these steps we can protect marine environments and encourage a sustainable coexistence of human activity with marine ecosystems.