Illegal Fishing Is a Global Problem

The state of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing has worsened globally between 2021 and 2025, according to the latest IUU Fishing Risk Index. In 2025, the global IUU score was 2.27 out of 5 (where 5=worst and 0=best), down from 2.24 in 2021. While the score has remained pretty much the same since 2023 (2.28), this highlights how there has been no notable progress in overall global IUU fishing risk in recent years. However, as the following map shows, wide variation exists between countries.

China remained the worst-performing country in 2025 with a high 3.60 out of 5. While China also held this unenviable position in 2023, 2021 and 2019, the country has improved slightly since the last report, when it scored 3.69 (2023).

Between 2021 and 2025, 68 countries improved their scores (i.e. had a lower risk), with the most improved nations including Ukraine, Saint Lucia and Cuba, while eight countries retained the same score and 76 countries saw their scores decline. The countries with the greatest declines in their overall ranking were Brunei Darussalam, Seychelles and Malaysia. In 2025, China, Iran, Indonesia, Russia, Yemen, India, Taiwan, Comoros, South Korea remained on the list of the 10 worst-performing countries, while Ukraine dropped off the list and Eritrea joined the roundup.

The index analyzes 152 countries with a maritime coastline based on 40 indicators falling under categories such as coastal responsibilities (economic zones), flag responsibilities (managing fleets) and port responsibilities (checking catch).