Blacklist launched to combat pirate fishing
After heaps of work by several dedicated people we've just launched an online database of fishing vessels involved in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the companies that own them.
IUU fishing – often referred to as "pirate fishing" - has become a global scourge. It is a multi-billion dollar business that affects many communities, especially from developing countries such as those in the Pacific that can least afford to be robbed of their livelihoods and sustenance. It leaves the marine environment bruised and battered, undermining food security and attempts at sustainable management.
Our blacklist is the first independent record of fishing vessels, support vessels and companies involved in pirate fishing. It includes independent observations from the legal fishing industry, government authorities, and first-hand evidence from Greenpeace and other NGOs who have recorded the activities of these vessels and companies at sea and in ports around the world.
Each year numerous vessels are observed and recorded as engaging in pirate
fishing across every ocean and sea. But the lack of global political will and scarce resources for enforcement in many coastal states means that most of the vessels and the companies behind them just carry on fishing. It isn't really possible to discourage pirates by asking them politely to please move along. There have to be clear and strict rules in place that prevent pirate fishing in the first place - and heavy sanctions for those who are caught.
Official lists are currently very limited in the information they contain and do not include the names of the companies behind the pirate fishing vessels. It's time for greater transparency: for fish purchasers, retailers, and the public to see who is involved in pirate fishing and for ship owners to start taking responsibility for their role.
We are urging all retailers and seafood traders to ensure they do not purchase pirate-caught fish and, as a first step, to ensure that they do not trade with companies listed as operators of pirate vessels.
We're calling on the United Nations to create what could be called 'an Interpol for the oceans', so that, with just one click, fisheries enforcement authorities anywhere in the world can access an up-to-date, reliable and comprehensive global record of fishing vessels involved in pirate fishing. With little capacity or resources, fisheries authorities, particularly in developing countries, have nowhere to turn when a vessel enters their waters or ports.
Our blacklist shows that with just a bit of political commitment and a few resources, the international community can establish this kind of database. The first step in getting the market to reject pirate-caught fish is to ensure that buyers can identify the ships and companies to avoid.
Check it out: www.blacklist.greenpeace.org
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Comments
Parabéns sempre e podem contar comigo!!!!!!! Sucesso!
Posted by: Solange Zomer | October 4, 2008 9:21 AM
Hi Lisa, We met on Guam last WCPFC meeting. I was trying to present my High Seas Driftnet report (IUU boats) to the commission, with no avail. You were great ion your fish costume. I thank you & Greenpeace for all you do.
Lisa, I was going over the "Black List" and saw that very few of the driftnet IUU vessels are listed. Could you please review & add the names & countries of the 98 vessels sighted in 06, also 47 in 07. I have included the "Report to the secretary of commerce to the congress...Large scale driftnets"
I am surprised no further investigations are being made on these vessels, or at least made public. My opinion is to have a World wide BAN on all driftnets on the High Seas. That way we can sees them all, instead of turning them over to there authorities, to be later released?
Please Lisa, add these vessels to your list, Ocean Friends
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/docs/CONGO06RPT.pdf
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/intlbycatch/docs/CONGO07RPT.pdf
Posted by: john-boy | October 4, 2008 6:26 PM