Just as they reached their destination we could see that one of the other trawlers (Estonian-flagged vessel called Lomur II) was hauling their nets in but it was too far away now for the Queen and all her documenting crew to get back there in time. We had a dilemma since our camera people were not available but we decided to send out another inflatable (the Hurricane) and this time I was designated as the camera person. Mariajo (Greenpeace Spain Oceans campaigner), Mike, Luke and Maite were also on board. I climbed into the boat with my own cameras and the ship's digital video camera packed in a watertight bag and we took off in the direction of the Lomur II. We wanted to get there in time to see if any bycatch was coming up with the nets so Luke drove the Hurricane at top speed and we all had to hold on tightly. As we glided over each swell the sea sprayed up into the air creating rainbows in the sunshine on top of the water. While I remained focused on how I was going to film the trawlers I couldn't wipe the enormous grin off my face. It was a beautiful sunny day and I was out on the water with an important task ahead. I finally got that exciting "yeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaahh" Greenpeace feeling, which I've only ever experienced before through pictures of Greenpeace in action.

Once we got to the trawler they were already resetting the net and some bycatch was being washed overboard through holes in the side of the ship. Mike and Maite tried to catch some with a crate (not the most appropriate equipment but the African Queen had the net so we had no choice) but it was really difficult since the force of the water coming out from the hole was so strong and it even poured into our boat when we got too close. We were getting soaked and any bycatch coming out was getting pushed away from us and eaten by the seabirds rather than going into our crate. Eventually Mike and Luke managed to work something out and caught some deep sea fish in the crate while I filmed everything. Mariajo also caught some deep sea sponge with her hands as it shot out from the side of the ship, which was rather impressive!

The African Queen

Mike asked a fisherman if we could come on board but he shook his head and refused to communicate with us so we hurried off to another Estonian shrimp trawler called Ontika, when the Esperanza told us over the radio that she was hauling. This time there was more bycatch coming out of the side and we caught quite a few deep sea creatures (including capelin and eelpout - sadly all dead). Occasionally shoots above us would suddenly gush with water and the hurricane got badly flooded at one point. I managed to keep the Greenpeace video camera dry, however my own (and my husband's) beloved digital stills camera got seawater in it and is now sitting in pieces in the radio room drying out. The situation does not look good and I am dreading what my other half is going to say when I get home. Oops!

Both inflatables were out and about for most of the day, with crew switching every once in a while and the African Queen didn't return home until it got dark. We managed to board 3 different trawlers so the campaigners are pleased with how much we achieved and the crew are delighted to be busy with such an important issue although everyone is tired and exhausted since being out on the water a lot in the bright sunshine can be very draining.

Sunrise this morning near the Flemish Cap

We put the clocks forward 1 hour last night, which went unnoticed by some of the crew, including myself so I was incredibly upset when I was woken up at 2:50am to start my 4am watch. It was worth it though because the sunrise was spectacular with the horizon in front of our bow appearing as if it was on fire. We found a new ship on the radar, which we think might be fishing for Greenland halibut (or "turbot"), which is fished at much greater depths than shrimp, (700 - 1000 meters). We followed this vessel during the night and it was an early start for most of the crew today since we planned to launch the inflatables at 7am. I woke up everyone at different times depending on what they needed to do. Boat crew had to be woken at 6:30am (which felt like 5:30 because of the clocks, so they weren't too pleased), campaigners and camera crew had to be up by 7am and everyone else by 7:30am.

Tracking bottom trawlers on the radar

Looks like it is going be another busy day! The African Queen is out with the trawlers again.

-Lisa