Seized Vessel in Alaska Shines Light on Illegal Fishing

JUNEAU, Alaska -- The recent seizure of a stateless ship in international waters, 2,600 miles off Alaska's coast, has shed a spotlight on the challenge that the U.S. and other nations face in trying to crackdown on illegal fishing.

Estimates suggest that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, also known as IUU, accounts for up to $23.5 billion a year in economic losses globally.

But finding rogue vessels can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

U.S. officials and some environmentalists say progress is being made, with multinational patrol and enforcement agreements and the potential for trade sanctions against countries that engage in illegal fishing.