Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller

Up to thirty percent of the seafood we eat is caught illegally, highlighting a massive global problem. Marine investigator Mariana is on a mission to locate the fish pirates responsible for this trade. These criminals generate billions of dollars each year while devastating our oceans.

Fish Pirates is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls under the genre of documentary‑style storytelling, focusing on real‑world issues rather than fictional drama. The series adopts a concise, episode‑length format that allows it to get straight to the subject without the need for multiple instalments. The episode highlights a startling statistic: as much as thirty per cent of the seafood that reaches our plates has been harvested illegally. Against this backdrop, the programme follows Mariana as she sets out to track down the so‑called fish pirates. Her investigation is driven by the scale of the problem, aiming to uncover the networks behind the illicit catches that feed a massive underground market. The series reveals that these fish pirates generate billions of pounds each year, profits built on the relentless exploitation of marine resources. Their activities not only fuel a lucrative illegal trade but also inflict severe damage on the oceans, undermining ecosystems and threatening the long‑term health of the seas. It's clear that the financial magnitude of the operation ties economic gain directly to environmental harm. In sum, Fish Pirates uses Mariana’s pursuit of the illegal fish trade to illustrate how a substantial portion of our seafood supply is compromised. By linking the massive financial rewards enjoyed by the perpetrators with the resulting damage to oceanic ecosystems, the programme provides a stark reminder of the hidden costs behind the food on our tables.