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NORTH ATLANTIC - Activists from Greenpeace UK and Greenpeace España aboard the Arctic Sunrise have seized fishing gear from two European industrial longliner vessels in the North Atlantic. One operated in a marine reserve.
The activists confiscated 30,2 km of longline, only 2,5% of the total length, including 286 hooks.[1] They released a blue shark, a near-endangered species, seven swordfish and other marine life that were caught on the lines.[2]
Greenpeace España activist for the oceans Maria José Caballero said on board Arctic Sunrise:
“We were only able to confiscate a tiny fraction of the longlines, but what we found highlights the horrors of industrial fishing. What's the use of protecting a place if such environmental destruction is still allowed? Protected areas like this are a perfect example of the broken status quo: protected on paper but not on the water.”
Industrial fisheries in the Milne Seamount Complex highlight the challenges of properly protecting areas in international waters.[3] Longline is legal here, but any industrial fishing will harm the ecosystem. This lack of protection from longline fishing is another example of why a strong global ocean treaty is needed to adequately protect areas on the high seas from industrial fishing.
The longliners from Spain fished for sharks and swordfish.[4] The fishery has changed from relying on shark bycatch to remain profitable. These ships use longlines, sometimes over 100 km long, with thousands of hooks attached.
An investigation by Greenpeace España and Greenpeace UK released in July revealed shocking images of dead young sharks. Read the whole thing Addicted to sharks detection report and look at the pictures in the Greenpeace Media Library.
Maria Jose Caballero Continuation:
“The EU and its member states like Spain claim they are advocates for marine conservation while their fishing fleets are causing environmental damage at sea. It's hypocrisy on an industrial scale. We need a strong global ocean treaty, to be finalized this August, that will change how deep-sea fisheries are managed to give the oceans a chance to recover.”
Greenpeace is urging leaders to finalize a global ocean treaty at UN talks in August. Unless a strong deal is agreed, achieving 30×30 will be almost impossible: 30% of the world's oceans will be fully protected by 2030. Scientists say this is the minimum needed to give the oceans room to rest.
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Pictures of the action will be available in Greenpeace Media Library.
Notes:
[1] The total length of line in the water on an average day's fishing, as described in the Greenpeace report for the UK and Spain Addicted to sharks, are 1200 km. The 30 km of longline salvaged by the activists account for 2,5% of this total.
[2] Activists found a total of 7 swordfish, 1 blue shark, 1 sea bream, 1 barracuda and 2 longnose lancefish. All were safely released back into the water. This was only 2,5% of the total length of the line in the water, so it's just a tiny snapshot of all the marine life on the line at the time. Analysis of total swordfish and blue shark catches in the North Atlantic shows that the approximate ratio of blue shark catches to swordfish is 1 swordfish to 5 blue sharks.
Greenpeace activists have safely and responsibly bugged and confiscated the lines. No fishermen were endangered or endangered during the activity. Activists retrieved the longlines aboard the Arctic Sunrise and will safely dispose of them ashore.
[3] OSPAR Decision 2010/1 establishing the Milne Seamount Complex Marine Protected Area
[4] The ship names were SEGUNDO RIBEL and SIEMPRE PERLA
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Photos: Greenpeace
