In another demoralising blow for the illegal toothfish vessel, FV Thunder, the Austral Fisheries vessel, Atlas Cove, today joined Sea Shepherd’s Bob Barker in tailing the notorious pirate fisher.
The Bob Barker has been in pursuit of the Thunder for over 95 days, after it was sighted fishing illegally for toothfish on the high seas, in waters managed by CCAMLR. Austral CEO, David Carter, today commended Sea Shepherd officers, crew and administration for their dogged persistence and determination in chasing down the last remaining illegal toothfish operators in the southern ocean.
“We have been mightily impressed with what Sea Shepherd has achieved in such a short amount of time. The pursuit of the FV Thunder has served to bring worldwide attention to the vexed issue of illegal toothfish fishing and as legitimate licensed operators this is something that is critical to our future. We are hopeful that the owners and officers of the Thunder will be swiftly brought to justice when they finally make port.”
David went on to say that the collaborative efforts between the legitimate industry operators, CCAMLR, Government agencies and conservation groups over many years had reduced the size of the illegal toothfish fleet from over 55 full time boats in the mid-1990s to what is now a besieged, hard core group of 6 boats, each fishing for around 4 months of the year. The FV Thunder is the most notorious of those remaining.
“The war on illegal fishing has been a long and deliberate process, run over 15 years and involving, tightening port-based and trade-based controls; increasing surveillance; improving fisheries laws, gaining international agreement to deal with high seas fisheries compliance, and more – all to make it harder for illegal fishers to continue to operate.
I am very pleased that we have been able to offer some modest ‘moral support’ to the Skipper and crew of the Bob Barker on this occasion and am confident that continued collaboration amongst all stakeholders will see an end to this scourge of the southern ocean”
Photo credits: Simon Ager / Sea Shepherd Global