Conakry, Guinea – Shark fins have been discovered on two Chinese fishing vessels during a joint surveillance conducted by Greenpeace and Guinean fishery authorities. One of the vessels also had illegally altered fishing nets on board, while a third Chinese vessel was caught using illegal nets and fishing for species outside of its license. The two vessels with shark fins on board have been fined $264,787.50 each, while the third vessel has been fined $370,702.50. The catches from all of the vessels have been seized by Guinean authorities.
In addition to the shark fins, Greenpeace also found numerous carcasses of sharks including hammerheads, an endangered species, along with manta rays on board several vessels.[1]
Ahmed Diame, Greenpeace Africa Oceans campaigner, said:
“What we’re seeing here is an utter lack of respect for West African fishing laws. It also shows that local laws need to be strengthened to meet international standards where endangered sharks are no longer a legal catch. That is why we are recommending that coastal states improve their monitoring capacity and advocating for local legislation to protect marine life and livelihoods of local fishing communities.”
In total, Greenpeace and local officials inspected and boarded 12 vessels during their joint surveillance this past week. The vessels included nine Chinese, one Korean, and two Guinean-flagged. On one of the Chinese vessels, a letter was found issued by China’s distant water fishing association on March 10th, reminding Chinese fishing vessels to fish legally and be cooperative with authorities’ inspections.
Pavel Klinckhamers, campaign leader on board the Esperanza, said:
“We thought the letter would have deterred Chinese fishing vessels from illegal activities during the period of the joint patrols, but apparently this was not the case. Several fishing vessels belonging to Chinese companies continued their illegal fishing practices, despite the warning. This shows the complete disregard for local laws by these companies, while they should behave as responsible guests in these waters”
Currently 41 vessels are licensed to operate in Guinean waters. Eighty-five percent of the vessels are Chinese owned.
Last month, Greenpeace and Guinea Bissau authorities arrested four fishing vessels after they discovered multiple fishing infringements. The vessels are being investigated by local authorities for illegal transshipment at sea, failure to display readable names on the vessels, non-payment of fines, and the use of illegal fishing equipment.
Greenpeace is demanding that West African governments take responsibility and work together to manage both foreign and local fishing activities in their waters so resources can be distributed fairly and sustainably, and to ensure a prosperous future for local communities and people living along the shores of West Africa.
###
Details on the ships found committing irregularities:
The Lian Run 34:
Was found with shark fins on board on 31 March, 2017
The Lian Run 47:
Aerial photos show shark fins on the vessels rooftop. Inspections on April 4th uncovered shark fins hidden between crates on the ship, as well as non-authorized net adjustments.
Both ships are owned by Dalian Lian Run Pelagic Fishery Company Ltd, one of China’s largest distant water fishing companies. Guinean authorities confiscated both ships’ fishing licenses, the captain’s passport, along with other navigation documents.
The Fu Yuan Yu 379:
The vessel was inspected on April 2nd, and inspectors found it had adjusted nets, which is illegal. Inspectors also uncovered 30 bags of shark carcasses including a large hammerhead shark. On April 3rd, The Fu Yuan Yu 379 was spotted again fishing outside the area of its licence and having discarded the bags of sharks that was considered evidence. The vessel will likely face further sanctions.
The vessel is owned by Fujian Pingtan Hengli Fishery Company Ltd. The vessel has been fined for illegal net adjustments, which is categorized as a ‘very serious’ infraction under Guinean law. Current legislation does not penalize sharks being caught as a bycatch.
Photos and footage available at: http://act.gp/2miRN9f
A Greenpeace briefing is available here.
Contacts:
Contact onboard the Esperanza: Pavel Klinckhamers, project leader, Greenpeace Netherlands, [email protected], +31 107130874
International media inquiries: Christina Koll, communications coordinator, Greenpeace Nordic, [email protected] , +45 28109021
Notes to editors:
The Esperanza is on an expedition in West Africa to document the threat from overfishing to the marine environment and food security for millions of Africans depending on fish. The crew on board, with the support of fishing authorities from coastal countries in the West Africa, aim to reduce the number of vessels fishing illegally or committing offenses.
1. Many species of sharks are exceptionally vulnerable to overfishing. The global catch and mortality of sharks from reported and unreported landings, discards, and shark finning are estimated at about 1.4 million metric tons. Based on an analysis of average shark weights, this translates to a total annual mortality estimate of about 100 million sharks. (Worm, et al 2013: global catches, exploitation rates and rebuilding options for sharks. Marine Policy volume 40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.
