The People's Republic of China is the most significant contributor to the global problem of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Its distant water fishing fleet is the largest in the world and operates everywhere, from the Pacific Island Countries to the Atlantic Coast of Africa.

In this episode, Heidi Holz and Cornell Overfield join John Stimpson to discuss how US Special Operations Forces can help counter the problem of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing by serving as a global connector for this issue.   

Guest Biographies

Heidi Holz is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s China Studies Program. She has researched PRC security issues, including PRC strategy and investments in the Arctic, illicit maritime activities by PRC actors, Chinese military doctrine and operations, and U.S.-China military-to-military relations.

Cornell Overfield is a specialist in the relationship between maritime law and foreign policy. At CNA, he has worked on projects covering Arctic security and economic activity, improved engagement with allies and partners, and data analytics.

Related Materials

CNA: Implications of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing for US Special Operations Forces 

CNA: Exposing the Gap Between PRC Rhetoric and Illicit Maritime Activity 

CNA Talks: The Scale of China’s Illegal Fishing