Effectiveness of interventions to shift drivers of roving banditry and reduce illegal fishing by Vietnamese blue boats

Illegal fishing via roving banditry, or illegally in other countries’ territorial waters, continues to threaten the security, sustainability, and biodiversity of global marine resources. Yet, little is known about behavioral drivers whether interventions can shift these. We address this critical knowledge gap by quantitatively surveying 82 fishers two port havens (Da Nang Sa Ky, central Vietnam) for banditry Vietnamese “blue boats,” before after aimed at reducing illegal fishing. present three key findings: (1) displacement from South China Sea degraded local resources were primary drivers, (2) increased perceptions risk shame if apprehended, (3) source bail money (i.e., family vs. business) was highly predictive saw punishment as an adequate deterrent Lastly, we discuss implications these findings regional policy management strategies.