Press release - 19 April, 2006
Stolen fish from West Africa that was destined for the dinner tables of Europe will be confiscated by the Spanish government.
Fisheriesministry officials confirmed to Greenpeace and the EnvironmentalJustice Foundation that they will carry out an inspection of the Binar4 reefer in Las Palmas and seize any fish taken from Guinean waters.Greenpeace has been invited to witness the inspection.
It comes after a three week investigation by the environmental andhuman rights groups in West Africa and following a six day occupationof the Binar 4 by Greenpeace activists.
Greenpeace and the Environmental Justice Foundation will now deliver adossier of their findings to the Spanish ministry, to enable officialsto inspect other illegal vessels. In the time that the Greenpeace shipMY Esperanza was patrolling West African waters more than 100 vessels were documented- nearly have were breaking the law.
Other contacts: Sara Holden: Greenpeace International Communications: + 31 615 007 406 Sarah Duthie: Greenpeace UK, Oceans Campaigner: + 44 771 770 4595 Helene Bours: Environmental Justice Foundation Oceans Campaigner: + 32 477 430 171 Sebastian Losada: Greenpeace Spain, Oceans Campaigner: + 34 626998254 Laura Perez: Greenpeace Spain Communications: + 34 626 998 251 oceans.greenpeace.org www.ejfoundation.org