In this issue

Shrimp Infectious Diseases and Diagnostics in the Philippines
Effects of Temperature and Diurnal Cycle in the Molting Schedule of Mangrove Crab, Scylla serrata (Forskål, 1775)
Shading Influenced Water Quality and Seed Production of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) in the Hapa-within-Pond System During Warm Months
Annotated Checklist of Cartilaginous Fishes in Palawan Waters
Impacts of Freshwater Fish Sanctuaries on Fish and Crustacean Diversity, Catch, and Household Income of Fisherfolk in Baggao, Cagayan, Philippines
Population Dynamics of Shortfin Scad (Decapterus macrosoma) Bleeker 1851 in Babuyan Channel, Philippines
Reproductive Biology of Bali Sardines, Sardinella lemuru (Bleeker, 1853), in Tayabas Bay, Quezon, Philippines
Optimization of the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Yellowfin tuna, (Thunnus albacares) Viscera by Response Surface Methodology
Nutrient Composition and Heavy Metal Contents of Freshwater Sardine, Sardinella tawilis (Herre, 1927), in Taal Lake, Philippines
Influence of Colors on the Catching Performance of Artificial Lures of Multiple Troll Line in Bongao Waters, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines
Diversity, Abundance, and Local Use of Fishes in Lake Danao, Ormoc City, Philippines
eDNA Detection to Help Combat Illegal Fishing and Modern Slavery
Ensuring Aquatic Food Security in the Philippines

Journal Issue Volume 30 Issue 2 Diversity, Abundance, and Local Use of Fishes in Lake Danao...

Policy Brief

eDNA Detection to Help Combat Illegal Fishing and Modern Slavery

Anushka Brito1,
Demian A. Willette ORCID logo

Biology Department, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, 90045, United States

Corresponding author

demian.willette@lmu.edu

1 International Studies Department, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, 90045, United States
2 Biology Department, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, 90045, United States

Page 289-297 | Received 28 Feb 2023, Accepted 16 Aug 2023

Key Points

  • Innovations in DNA-based identification and traceability can now be implemented in Philippine fisheries, serving as solutions that can keep pace with the complex, fast-moving global seafood supply chain.
  • Seafood fraud is prevalent in the fishing industry and can occur because of illegal fishing, some of which comes from vessels that utilize modern slavery.
  • With global seafood demand projected to rise through 2030, the challenges of illegal fishing and modern slavery at sea become increasingly linked; challenges which can be reduced by the adoption of emerging eDNA-based tools by both exporting and importing nations, including the Philippines and the United States.


Keywords: environmental DNA, forced labor, genetics, seafood fraud, supply chain