Environmental crime

thumb|300px|Trachurus|Jack mackerel caught by a Chilean purse seiner thumb|350px|Fishing down the food web Overfishing is the removal of aquatic animals—primarily fish—from a body of water at a rate greater than that the species can replenish its population naturally (i.e. the overexploitation of the fishery's existing fish stocks), resulting in the species becoming increasingly underpopulated in that area. Excessive fishing practices can occur in water bodies of any sizes, from ponds, wetlands, rivers, lakes to seas and oceans, and can result in resource depletion, reduced biological growth r

Bushmeat is meat from wildlife hunted for human consumption, specifically in parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. Bushmeat is commonly harvested through unregulated or subsistence hunting practices. Bushmeat often consists of local small mammals in an area, such as primates, bats, and rodents, but can also refer to small birds and reptiles. Bushmeat is also a significant public health concern due to its association with zoonotic disease transmission.

illegal act which directly harms the environment

harvest, transportation, purchase, or sale of timber in violation of laws

commercial, often illegal trade in the ivory tusks

type of construction work

illegal gathering, transportation, and distribution of animals and animal parts

act of dumping waste illegally

diesel engine modification to emit large amounts of dark exhaust fumes

mining activity that is undertaken without state permission

technique used to deter the poaching of elephants

branch of criminology focusing on (often social) environmental explanations of criminal behavior

Ecomafia is an Italian neologism for criminal activities related to organized crime which cause damage to the environment. The term was coined by the Italian environmentalist organization Legambiente in 1994 and has since seen widespread use. In Italy, environmental crime is one of the fastest-growing and most profitable forms of criminal activity. As of 2012, an estimated 30% of Italy's waste is disposed of illegally by organized crime syndicates. The United Nations Environment Programme estimated that criminal organizations earned approximately $20–30 billion USD from environmental crimes. A