Report | April, 2026
Behind the Fleet: Mapping the Global Network of Service Providers Keeping Distant-Water Fishing Afloat
Distant-water fishing (DWF) vessels — those operating far from their domestic waters — are among the most challenging vessels to monitor and regulate. Though many operate legally, reporting standards and transparency vary widely. This can create governance gaps and legal loopholes that increase the risk of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and in some cases, other serious crimes such as labor rights abuses.
DWF vessels do not operate in isolation. Their activities depend on a global network of public, private, and nonprofit actors that provide essential services and help manage the financial, logistical, and regulatory challenges of operating far from home. Behind every distant-water fishing vessel is a support system of service providers whose decisions influence how international fishing is financed, operated, and overseen.
Service providers can be powerful allies in the fight for sustainable and transparent fishing. In this brief, Oceana explores how engaging them could strengthen compliance and modernize fisheries governance. Drawing on literature reviews, sector-specific datasets, and mapping analysis, it offers one of the clearest pictures to date of the service networks that sustain DWF fleets worldwide.
Key service providers include:
- Ports. Ports and landing sites provide resupply, repairs, crew changes, and locations to offload catch. Without access to these shore-based hubs, most DWF fleets could not remain at sea for extended periods.
- Insurance companies. Insurance coverage — particularly liability insurance — is often required for DWF operations, giving insurers significant influence over fleet practices and risk management.
- Crewing agencies. Also referred to as recruitment or manning agencies, these organizations are the primary suppliers of migrant workers and play a central role in the DWF labor supply system.
- Transshipment vessels. Transshipment, the transfer of catch and sometimes supplies between vessels at sea, allows fleets to continue operating without returning to port.
- Fuel bunkering operators. Fuel bunkering, the delivery of marine fuel at sea, enables fleets to operate far from shore. Many also deliver food, water, spare gear, and facilitate crew transfers.
- Classification and certification societies. These independent technical organizations inspect and certify vessels against engineering, construction, and safety standards. Their certificates are often required for key operational functions.
Media contact: Gillian Spolarich (gspolarich@oceana.org)
