Greenpeace finds some toothfishers and gives them a message from the planet - go away. Images Greenpeace .
Close up - people
Close up - toothfish
Press Release...
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0004/S00011.htm
Greenpeace Reveals Pirate Landing Of Toothfish
Thursday, 6 April 2000, 10:24 am
Press Release: Greenpeace New Zealand
Greenpeace Reveals New Pirate Landing Of Toothfish
Auckland, 6th April 2000 – Greenpeace exposed a well-known illegal fishing vessel, the Belize-flagged Rita, landing its
catch of 90 tonnes of toothfish in Port Louis, Mauritius late last night (NZ time). Greenpeace has called on the
Mauritian authorities to take immediate action against these ocean pirates by stopping the unloading operation and
seizing the catch.
Five activists from the Greenpeace ship MV Arctic Sunrise displayed a banner reading “ Stop Illegal Fishing” on the
wharf where the pirate vessel was landing its catch.
“While CCAMLR countries, such as New Zealand talk of doing all they can to end illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean,
known pirates, such as the Rita, are continuing the plunder of the Southern Ocean” says Sarah Duthie, Ocean Ecology
Campaigner, Greenpeace New Zealand.
The Rita has been seen on many occasions in the distant French sub-Antarctic waters around Crozet Island – a known hot
spot for illegal fishing - and is a typical example of pirate vessel. In 1997, this vessel was twice reported fishing
illegally in the French Crozet zone showing no nationality, port or call number. It has been re-flagged from Vanuatu to
Belize, both flag of convenience states (1), and has changed its name several times.
“To effectively end pirate fishing, New Zealand should call for all CCAMLR countries to agree a moratorium on toothfish,
backed by an international trade ban.” Says Duthie
Many vessel owners operate as pirates, requiring their crews to deliberately flout international laws devised to protect
and conserve fish stocks. A gold rush mentality has developed for toothfish catches: scientists estimate that the
toothfish will become commercially extinct within two years if pirate fishing continues. Pirate vessels also hook and
drown between 60,000 and 100,000 seabirds each year in their fishing gear, including petrels and endangered species of
albatross. All 19 species of Southern Ocean albatrosses are seriously at risk from drowning on pirate longliners.
Note for editors:
Pirate fishing companies often use “flags of convenience” from countries suchas Belize, Panama, Honduras and Vanuatu,
whose flags are for sale no questions asked. As these states fail to exercise control over their fleets, flag of
convenience vessels can fish the high seas without abiding by international conservation and management measures. They
will often fish illegally in remote waters and the waters of other, primarily developing, countries that do not have the
ability to monitor or patrol their offshore areas. The international community is currently addressing the problem of
flag of convenience fishing.
Earlier this week Greenpeace released a report, ‘Mauritius: Indian Ocean haven for pirate fishing vessels’ detailing
Mauritius’ role in the transshipment of illegally caught toothfish. For copies of the report please contact Greenpeace
New Zealand