The Geopolitics of the Ocean

...for peace and stability: Fish is the world’s most traded food commodity and a vital source of jobs and nutrition. Given seafood’s societal importance, strategic rivals are using distant-water fleets, economic subsidies, and illicit networks to dominate seafood supply chains, threatening food security and sovereignty of nations around the world. Dwindling stocks and destructive practices are driving competition and conflict, especially in regions critical to U.S. interests such as the Indo-Pacific, the Arctic, and Latin America.

...for homeland security: Transnational criminal organizations are exploiting seafood as a lucrative, low-risk domain, which undermines rule of law, international relations, and maritime security. The financial losses from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are estimated at $16–36 billion annually, significantly impacting economies of countries worldwide. Up to one-third of seafood consumed in the U.S. is linked to IUU fishing, defrauding consumers, undercutting U.S. fishers and domestic seafood markets, and strengthening criminal networks.

...for economic prosperity: The blue economy supports millions of jobs and generates trillions in economic value. Every $1 invested in sustainable ocean management yields $5 in benefits, underscoring the financial case for action. An unhealthy ocean threatens the future of America’s blue economy, placing $8.4 trillion in revenues and assets at risk without stronger governance and management.