February 18, 2014

David Pearl

NOAA Fisheries

Office of International Affairs

Using Open Source Intelligence

to Counter IUU Fishing

2

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Primary Challenge: Identifying reliable sources from the

vast amount of publicly available information

Intelligence produced from publicly

available information that is collected,

exploited, and disseminated in a timely

manner to an appropriate audience for

the purpose of addressing a specific

intelligence requirement.

3

OSINT can play a roll in all four spheres; Particularly useful for

vessel monitoring, ID owners/operators, supply chain links

Vessel Specific

• Vessel Monitoring

• Flags of Convenience

• Global Record

• Owners/Operators

Market Related

• Consumer Education

• Eco-labeling

• Retailer Policies

Supply Chain

• Import/Export Controls

• Catch Doc./Cert.

• Traceability Initiatives

• Port State Measures

Resource Mgmt

• Access Agreements

• Observer Programs

• Legal Frameworks

• Compliance Measures

• Catch Reporting

• Capacity Limits

Countering IUU: Four Spheres of Influence

4

Vessel Movements via Automatic

Identification System (AIS)

Most refrigerated cargo (transshipment) vessels required by IMO

to carry/transmit AIS; Increasingly used on fishing vessels

The primary intent of AIS is to aid in the avoidance of vessel collisions by providing

positional data (latitude and longitude) and attributes (such as speed, name, size,

type, etc.) of equipped vessels.

Key types of AIS data include:

•Vessel Name

•International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number

•Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Number

•Vessel Call Sign

•Length, Beam, Draft

•Vessel Type

•Ship Position (Latitude & Longitude)

•Speed Over Ground (SOG)

•Course Over Ground (COG)

•Heading

•Rate of Turn (ROT)

•Estimated Time of Arrival

Examples:

AIS class B

transponder

AIS base

station AIS class A

transponder

5

Free/Public AIS Source:

MarineTraffic.com

6

Free/Public AIS Source:

MarineTraffic.com

7

Free/Public AIS Source:

VesselFinder.com

AIS coverage differs from source to source

8

Govt. to Govt. AIS Info Exchange:

Maritime Safety and Security Information

System (MSSIS)

More Participation = More Maritime Domain Awareness

9

Subscription AIS Sources

Some offer free accounts in exchange for AIS data

Satellite AIS Data ($$$$):

10

Researching a Vessel

Key pieces of information:

•International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number

•Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Number

•International Radio Call Sign (IRCS)

•National Registration Number (aka Official Number)

•Vessel Name/Flag

RFMO Records of Fishing Vessels:

11

Vessel Document Exploitation

Documents Required for the Permanent Registration:

- Proof of ownership ( Builder's certificate, Bill of Sale, Certificate issued by

the court in case of legal auctions) duly executed and authenticated by a

Notary Public confirming the authenticity of the signatures and legal

capacity of the signatories and legalized by a Panamanian Consul or by way

of Apostille. Original Power of attorney in favor of our firm duly notarized

and authenticated by a Panamanian Consul or by way of Apostille.

- Deletion certificate / cancellation of previous registry (not required for new

vessels) duly authenticated to evidence the effect that the previous registry

has been cancelled or closed.

- Radio application forms, duly filled out.

Technical certificates:

- International Tonnage Certificate, certificates issued by a recognized

organization under the vessel’s name and under the authority of the

Panamanian Government

Requisites for registration of vessels of new construction:

1. Request form for registration under Panamanian flag.

2. Request for Radio License; Radio application form duly filled out.

3. Certification of New Construction; duly executed and authenticated by a

Notary Public confirming the authenticity of the signatures and legal

capacity of the signatories and legalized by a Panamanian Consul or by way

of Apostille.

4. Power of attorney in favor of legal representatives

(notarised/authenticated)

Documents Required for Provisional Registration:

- Copy of a Power of attorney duly authenticated by a Notary Public and

legalized (draft will be provided by our office upon your request)

- Completed application for registration (Owner’s name and address)

- Payment of governmental fees; enrollment and first year annual

taxes.

- Document of title (Builder's certificate, Bill of Sale, Certificate issued by

the court in case of legal auctions)*

Technical certificates:

- Valid copy of the current Safety Management Certificate (SMC).

*Billl of Sale must be duly authenticated by a Notary Public confirming the

authenticity of the signatures and legal capacity of the signatories and

legalized by a Panamanian Consul or by way of Apostille.

The notary must also acknowledge in this document, that the Seller was the

previous legal owner of the vessel before transference was effected.

Example: Panama Vessel Registration

12

Vessel Ownership 101

Commercially available ownership information can be out of date and lack context,

but essential first step for further inquiry – System is ripe for liability cover-ups

13

Example: Linking Vessels to

People/Companies

14

Linking People/Companies to Supply Chain

Bill of Lading

Fisheries agencies must work closely with customs agencies

to detect potential IUU product

World Customs Organization:

Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System

Example: 1605.61.0000 = Sea cucumbers, prepared or preserved

Commodity Description

Company research:

15

Networking Platforms

Knowing who has the answer is a good and knowing the answer

All Partner Access Network: fosters information exchange and

collaboration between the United States Department of Defense (DoD)

and any external country, organization, agency or individual that does

not have ready access to traditional DoD systems and networks.

LinkedIn: Facebook for professionals.

Combatting IUU Fishing group: Over

480 members as of Feb 2014

IMCS Network aims to improve the efficiency and

effectiveness of fisheries-related MCS activities through

enhanced cooperation, coordination, information collection

and exchange among national organizations/institutions

responsible for fisheries-related MCS

16

The Intelligence Cycle

How it should work

Feedback

Networking

OSINT can help counter IUU fishing only if it is applied to a

functioning intelligence cycle

February 18, 2014

Contact Information: David Pearl

Counter-IUU Fishing

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

Office of International Affairs

301.427.8381

David.Pearl@noaa.gov