In November, 2005, these five vessels entered Rostock, Germany illegally, and stayed in harbour until March 2006. While there, the vessels have been renamed and sold to a different company, and reflagged to Georgia, which is conveniently not a signatory of the NEAFC or the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement. The ships were formerly known as Oyra, Ostroe, Okhotino, Olchan and Ostrovets, and are now named Eva, Juanita, Rosita, Isabella and Carmen

We have actually been documenting the whereabouts of these five vessels since September 2005. These vessels usually fish illegally in Irminger Sea, over-winter in European ports, only to return to their old fishing grounds to continue stealing fish.

As I mentioned in my previous entry, countries which are bound by the “blacklist” legislation are not allowed to to equip IUU vessels with provisions, fuel, and other services. But clearly there is total lack of regard and enforcement of these regulations by governments and various fishing bodies.

Today we demanded that Russian government starts following regulations they commit to, i.e.: the NEAFC agreement. We also demanded the denial of access to any port services, including fuel, and other provisions. Ideally we would like to see the ships expelled from this port.

In addition to the above, we would also like a formal inspection done by the port authority to see if any services have been provided since arrival of the vessels.

We are confident that our demands are realistic, and can be met by the Russian government. It is obvious they are harbouring illegal vessels, and we want a commitment of action. We are confident that a reaction by the Russian government will send a strong signal to this sector of the mafia fisheries. We want the “trawler sisters” out of Svetlyy, and out of the seas and oceans for good!

Coincidently there is a NEAFC meeting in Estonia on Tuesday, October 3, 2006. Our demands to the Russian government are timed perfectly! The discussions are going to centre on enforcement of regulations as they relate to fish piracy. We hope that our presence in Kaliningrad with the “Trawler Girls”, in addition to the NEAFC meeting, will create an opportunity for a victory against these five vessels.

Stay tuned, as news unflolds....