According to reports conducted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, illegal fishing is responsible for the loss of 11–26 million tons of fish per year. This amount of fish has a monetary value of US$10–23 billion dollars. The 14th goal of the Sustainable Development Agenda urges the global community to regulate fishing and help put an end to overfishing. The goal is to put an end to all illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing the year 2020.

Meeting this goal in the allocated time requires an increased global awareness. People need to be aware that illegal fishing poses is a danger to the global economy and the environment as a whole.

The United Nations adopted the FOA Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in 1995. The code lists out international standards of behaviour in regards to fishing and treatment of ocean life. Since the implementation of the code, the United Nations has made constant strides in protecting ocean life.