The Clandestine Fleet
**the Figma prototype can be accessed here.**
The overarching subject of this scrollable, visual policy brief is illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. IUU fishing activities are a grave threat to the sustainability of ocean ecosystems, depleting large swaths of the high seas and national territories of marine life. It also threatens global food security and decreases the value of local, law-abiding fisheries. The severity and extent of IUU fishing impacts on marine ecosystems and the global economy mean that combatting such activities should remain a key priority.
Despite international efforts to counter IUU, notably through tighter regulations and automatic identification system (AIS), thousands of vessels still evade detection and 'go dark' by disabling AIS transponders. The extent of such AIS disabling in commercial fisheries was documented through data collected and published by the Global Fishing Watch (GFW).
To make this data and the implications understandable for both a broader audience and for policy- and lawmakers working on the issue in government, I developed a visual policy brief. Through a combination of text, charts, maps, and interactive elements, the audience is sequentially taken through the story - from being introduced to the concept of IUU, the detrimental impacts of this practice on global food security and marine ecosystems, and the methods employed by commercial fleets to the consequence of this activity continuing unabatedly, and five recommended steps for action.
Adhering to a strict style guide facilitates a seamless and cohesive user experience where the audience can focus exclusively on absorbing the research, data, and information.
