Don't Try This At Home
Posted by Adele at 02:39 PM, October 26, 2004
 Francois jumps on the net to stop the bottom trawling |
| (C) Greenpeace |
We had talked to the fishermen, explained our case. But today, as we watched two trawlers pillaging the deep sea ecosystem, we decided to try new tactics. One of our seasoned deck crew, Francois, volunteered to take on the mission- not something that should be tried at home (at least not without your own trawler and a net packed with sea creatures.). So, I'll leave Francois to tell the story...
- Dave
"Hey Francois, what would you think of jumping on a fishing net, full of fish, and deploying a banner there?"
That´s pretty much the way it started. Plans changed, we cancelled what had been previously organized, and worked all morning long, to get the ‘surfing net´ operation.
After lunch, I got dressed in a wetsuit, and went into the boat with Oli, Teppo and Erkut to wait for the next haul of the bottom trawler we´ve been following.
Yesterday, we had hooked a banner on to their net, but it was quite big, packed with creatures from the deep, and hard to hook into. This time, when the net came to the surface, the haul is smaller. I jump onto the net, but can tell that that the net is not as stable as I expected, and not floating very well either.
Anyway, the carabineer to hold the triangular banner is clipped on, and the banner is inflating - so far so good. But the message is far better readable flying than swimming! As the fish and I come closer to the stern ramp of the trawler, its wash is becoming stronger and makes us dive sometimes. I have to let go once, but grab the end of the net. I´m being dragged and desperately trying to help out the 'Deep Sea Destroyer' banner that has become very soaked and twisted.
Well, time to go, there's no way to be hauled on board on the trawler safely. My fellow activists pick me up and we rush towards the trawler again to hook another banner on the trawl doors, which are hanging from the stern. This one is more successful!
And what's more, the wetsuit kept me warm, and the team managed to achieve the final plan of the day.
- Francois
