Muhammad Hilmy Bramantyo he/him

Working title of PhD: Illicit Financial Flows in Illegal Fishing – Institutional Perspectives from Key Indonesian Maritime Regions

Institution: University of Glasgow

Funding Source: Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education

Full or part-time: Full time

Year commenced: 2026

Supervisors: Emiline Smith and Julie Berg

Synopsis: 

Research on money laundering with Illegal Unreported Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) as the predicate offense remains significantly under-researched. Generally, studies centered on IUUF have focused on legal frameworks, socio-economic impacts, transnational crime, and biomarine sciences. Arguably, combining IUUF with money laundering will lead to the deterioration of the marine ecosystem and economic losses for both the state and society. Therefore, eradicating money laundering where IUUF serves as the predicate offence is critical.

The primary question for this research is “How can Indonesia strengthen its enforcement response to IUUF by integrating financial crime approaches into the recording, investigation and prosecution of IUUF?”

This research employs a qualitative grounded theory approach to generate new insights and theoretical frameworks within blue criminology. By exploring the lived experiences and perspectives of Indonesian authorities, the study addresses the critical research gap identified in the literature regarding the enforcement of money laundering originating from IUUF.

Keywords: illegal fishing, money laundering, blue criminology