Hook, (Long) Line, and Tuna
The Rainbow Warrior is now sailing in the high seas of the Indian Ocean, having completed a two-week cooperation with government officials in Mozambican waters [link to feature story]. We’ve moved south into an area of higher fishing activity; warmer waters in the Mozambican channel have pushed Albacore tuna further south and fishing vessels have followed.
These photos were taken of a Spanish longliner, the Herdusa No1 Vigo, shortly after entering the high seas. The boat was targeting swordfish, tuna species (big eye and yellowfin), and sharks. By-catch is frequent in the case of longline fishing, and one of the unfortunate sights on this occasion was a Mobula ray caught flapping on the line.
Read more about this inspection here.
Although Greenpeace has a long history of working to end overfishing globally, this is its first time in the Indian Ocean. We’re here to document and expose overfishing and illegal fishing in the region, and to support coastal countries with the enforcement of their fishing zones. At the same time it’s about listening to local people and learning from their experiences, empowering them to defend their oceans.