TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan announced Monday it has signed an MOU with Canada on dark vessel detection systems.

The agreement lays a foundation for bilateral cooperation against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) maritime activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Taiwan’s representative to Canada, Harry Tseng (曾厚仁), and Canadian Representative to Taiwan Jim Nickel signed the MOU.

A dark vessel is any ship that turns off its Automatic Identification System to avoid detection, often when engaged in unlawful activities such as illegal fishing.

MOFA said the MOU will see Taiwan and Canada work together to protect the marine environment and economy, combat illegal fishing, and safeguard prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei said the deal gives Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration access to Canada’s dark vessel detection platform. Canada will also provide satellite image analysis training to help Taiwan monitor fishing vessel activities more effectively.

The office added the agreement “demonstrates Canada’s active engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly by expanding cooperation with Taiwan as a partner to jointly curb IUU fishing practices and promote sustainable ocean governance.”