Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing—also known as pirate fishing—is an unresolved and internationally pervasive problem, costing the global economy tens of billions of USD dollars annually. Those that participate in IUU fishing break or avoid fisheries management rules and succeed in operating outside the effective reach of government control. IUU fishing can deplete already overfished populations and can destroy vital marine habitats and ecosystems. This activity can also harm law-abiding fishers that suffer reduced fishing opportunities when the fish stocks they target are also targeted by IUU fishing vessels. Ending IUU fishing contributes to the global agenda to promote sustainable fishing and healthy oceans. This is underscored in UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources” by committing countries to take action to eliminate IUU fishing by 2020.