It's been an interesting weekend on board the Rainbow Warrior. On Saturday afternoon, far out into the International waters of the Tasman Sea, we tracked down the Tasman Viking, a bottom trawler from New Zealand - one that we'd found out here last year.
We stuck near the bottom trawler all night, and this morning launched our inflatables to document the destruction being carried out on the ocean floor - in this case, a net full of deep sea creatures. Carmen, our campaigner, first hailed the Tasman Viking on the radio, informing them of our intentions.
However, after one short trawl, they hauled their net in - with a small but significant amount of fish inside - and radioed us back to say that they were now heading back towards New Zealand.
Interestingly enough, while our inflatables were in the water, a worker on the fishing boat displayed a small sign that said "We are UNFAO ratified" - proving that the fishing industry are still really missing the point.
This sign implies that because the Tasman Viking follows the recommendations of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, then there's no problem with their fishing practices. There most certainly is a problem. The continuing destruction of deep sea life throughout oceans worldwide illustrates that current international oceans management is completely inadequate. In fact, it's fundamentally flawed - something that the fishing industry is happy to exploit.
Current regulations require trawlers to declare their catch from this area. In effect, this means they can wipe out as much deep sea life, and take as many fish as they like, without breaking any of the current rules - as long as they let the government (in this case New Zealand) - know how much they took. It is open slather, unregulated and unchecked - which is exactly why we need a moratorium. Such a 'time out' would not only halt this wholesale destruction, allowing scientists to assess the deep sea environment, but it would also give the world's governments an opportunity to create a proper management system - one that actually protects both fish stocks, and the rest of the deep sea ecosystem.
Anyway - we're still out here, hundreds of miles from land, on the lookout for more bottom trawlers. Today was a pretty comfortable day at sea - the swell has dropped, the sun was shining, and we had the sails out. Even the worst of the seasickness victims have started looking a bit chirpier.
More as it happens...
- Carmen & Dave
Comments
I dont believe it, hes at it again.
Another totally misleading comment from Dr OShea.
Just for once Steve please can you stick to the true facts.
Even though you state that you have chartered the vessel and must have got to know her crew and owner you still post the comments below.
The real facts.
Tasman Viking is owned by a small Company,(a one man band) and as such has limited Quota Holdings.
This vessel works her own Quota and Contract fishes for others when possible.
The fact that she is on the high seas is not because of a lack of fish inside the New Zealand EEZ in fact it is the direct opposite.
Due to high catch rates what Quota is avaliable can be caught very quickly.
After all this is what the Quota system is designed to do, maintain fish stocks, keep a lid on catch rates and ensure sustainability.
Tasman Viking has worked outside the Zone for a percentage of the year, every year since her arrival in New Zealand ten years ago.
You know this Steve, you are not stupid, you know the vessel, you know her crew.
Greenpeace and other Enviromental organisations do a damn fine job as watchdogs.
People also have a right to make up their own minds on issues and have their say but they rely on what they read to keep them informed.
You Steve have a moral obligation as a respected member of the Scientific Community to present the facts in a true and correct manner so people are correctly informed.
It really pisses me off when this does not happen.
Just for once Steve try telling the whole truth without warping or adding to the story.
Posted by: Allan at June 11, 2005 07:14 PM
Can't be too many fish left within the EEZ if that vessel is out there in consecutive years. It does make you wonder just how often it does fish out there.
Having personally chartered this vessel to chase giant squid, I am quite familiar with it. It is a lovely vessel. It is a shame that it could not be converted for doing research on fisheries, rather than contributing to further environmental destruction.
Any sign of the TV now? Did it really head back to port?
