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Title Full
Coast Guard Missed Opportunities to Interdict Foreign Fishing Vessels Suspected of Illegally Fishing in U.S. Waters
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Department of Homeland Security
Report Number
OIG-25-25
Report Description

The United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) did not meet its illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing interdiction goals for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. For both FYs, the Coast Guard set its interdiction goal at 40 percent. This goal reflects efforts to prevent illegal foreign fishing vessels from encroaching on the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It measures the percent of detected vessels successfully interdicted by the Coast Guard.

Report Type
Audit
Agency Wide
Yes
Number of Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
Report updated under NDAA 5274
No
External Entity
https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2025-06/OIG-25-25-Jun25.pdf
External Link
https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2025-06/OIG-25-25-Jun25.pdf

Open Recommendations

This report has 2 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
1 No $0 $0

We recommend that the Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard conduct an analysis to determine how best to use available resources in District 8 to increase its IUU fishing interdiction rate.

2 No $0 $0

We recommend that the Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard develop and implement a measurable performance goal for IUU fishing enforcement on the high seas or within the EEZ of another nation.

Department of Homeland Security OIG

United States