COVID-19 Infects the Fishing Industry: The Rise of Illegal Fishing and the Waiver of Fishery Observer Requirements
INTRODUCTION In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world as we knew it. COVID-19 impacted almost every aspect of society and the planet—even ocean ecosystems. As global economies sunk into recession, the demand for seafood persisted. Yet, fishing vessels served as perfect vectors for the novel coronavirus because their confined spaces increased transmission of the airborne pathogens.[2] The pandemic emerged against the backdrop of an ocean ecosystem chronically suffering from the effects of overfishing. The United States and other countries have existing programs for fishery Continue reading →