Combined IUU Vessel List

Tool Description : A free, searchable database that consolidates official Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing vessel lists published by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs

Combined IUU Vessel List

Quick Overview

URL

https://iuu-vessels.org/Home/Search

What it does

Searches a consolidated database of vessels formally listed for IUU fishing by RFMOs.

How to use it

Search using a vessel name, IMO number, call sign or flag state to determine whether a vessel appears on one or more RFMO IUU lists.

Cost

Free.

Account required

No.

Standard website cookies plus Google security and consent cookies

Ownership

Maintained and operated by TMT, an independent Norwegian non-profit organisation specialising in fisheries intelligence, analysis and capacity building .

Use in Reporting

Useful for verifying whether a fishing vessel has been officially listed for IUU fishing, supporting maritime due diligence, environmental crime investigations, sanctions screening and fisheries compliance reporting.

What does Combined IUU Vessel List do?

Combined IUU Vessel List aggregates official IUU vessel listings published by multiple Regional Fisheries Management Organisations into a single searchable database. Rather than searching each RFMO individually, investigators can quickly determine whether a vessel has been designated for illegal fishing activities.

Records typically include vessel names (including historical names), IMO number, call sign, flag state, previous flags, listing organisation, and the reason and date for listing where available.

The lowdown: It’s most effective when combined with AIS tracking, vessel registries, satellite imagery, beneficial ownership research and corporate records.

How to Use:

1. Search using the vessel name, IMO number, call sign or flag state. IMO numbers generally provide the most reliable match because vessel names frequently change. Alternatively, you can browse the alphabetical list.

2. Review the listing details, including the RFMO responsible, date of listing and available vessel identifiers. Note any previous names, flags or registrations.

3. Cross-reference the vessel with AIS data, port calls, ownership databases, company records and sanctions lists to verify identity and assess wider risk or criminal associations.

Cost

Free
Partially Free
Paid

Data Processing

Account Required:

Cookies:

The site uses standard website cookies plus Google security and consent cookies (e.g. HSID, SID, NID, SOCS).

Use in Reporting

Combined IUU Vessel List can be used to:

Verify whether a vessel has been officially designated for IUU fishing.
Support investigations into fisheries crime and environmental offences.
Screen vessels during maritime due diligence or supply chain investigations.
Corroborate suspicious vessel activity identified through AIS or satellite imagery.
Identify vessels that have changed names, flags or registrations to avoid enforcement.
Provide supporting evidence within reporting on seafood traceability, sanctions compliance and maritime risk.

FishWise recommends the Combined IUU Vessel List as a resource for seafood industry due diligence and counter-IUU fishing compliance.

Capabilities

Limitations

Searches multiple RFMO IUU vessel lists from a single interface.

Only includes vessels officially listed by participating RFMOs.

Identifies vessels formally designated for illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing.

Doesn’t identify suspected IUU vessels that haven’t been formally designated.

Supports vessel verification using IMO numbers, call signs, and historical vessel names.

Coverage depends on the scope and update frequency of individual RFMO lists.

Reveals previous vessel identities, flags, and registrations where available.

Ownership and beneficial ownership information is generally absent.

Provides an authoritative reference for fisheries compliance & maritime due diligence.

Some vessels lack IMO numbers or complete identifying information.

Complements AIS, satellite image, and vessel registry research.

Summary

Combined IUU Vessel List is a free, authoritative OSINT resource for identifying fishing vessels officially designated for illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing, best viewed as a verification and risk assessment tool, rather than a discovery tool. It’s most valuable once you’ve identified a vessel and want to establish whether it has a documented history of IUU fishing, but should be used alongside other OSINT sources rather than as standalone evidence.

Ownership

Maintained and operated by Trygg Mat Tracking (commonly known as TMT), an independent Norwegian non-profit organisation specialising in fisheries intelligence, analysis and capacity building.

Ethical Considerations

A vessel's inclusion reflects an official RFMO designation but should still be independently verified before publication.
Confirm vessel identity using persistent identifiers such as IMO numbers, as names and flags frequently change.
Consider whether a vessel has subsequently been removed from an IUU list before drawing conclusions.
Corroborate findings with additional evidence including AIS, registry data and official enforcement records.
Avoid implying current illegal activity solely on the basis of a historical listing.