Tackling Illegal Fishing in African Waters

Since 2016, Sea Shepherd has been on the frontlines against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Africa, starting with our pivotal partnership with Gabon. By deploying our ocean-going patrol ships and dedicated marine conservation crews, we collaborate with government partners who provide law enforcement agents with the authority to board, inspect, and apprehend violators. Together, we patrol vast ocean areas that would otherwise be beyond the reach of the nations responsible for them. This successful collaboration validated our strategy, paving the way for partnerships with Liberia, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Benin, Namibia, The Gambia, and most recently, Tuvalu in the South Pacific.

The Role of the M/Y Age of Union

The success of our IUU initiatives relies heavily on our fleet, particularly the M/Y Age of Union. In 2021, Dax Dasilva and the Age of Union Foundation invested $4.5 million over three years into refurbishing one of our larger vessels, the M/Y Sam Simon. Purchased by Sea Shepherd Global in 2012, the former Japanese weather survey ship played an important role in our combat against whaling in the Southern Ocean prior to supporting our IUU efforts in West Africa. The renamed M/Y Age of Union officially set sail in January 2022, and since then has assisted our partners in the arrest of 19 vessels.

KEY OPERATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Operation Sola Stella in Liberia

Our Sola Stella Campaign, launched in partnership with the Liberian Ministry of Defense, has effectively curtailed IUU fishing along Liberia's coastline since 2017. Our crew aboard the M/Y Age of Union has made significant strides in protecting vulnerable marine species, reducing bycatch, and combating overfishing. A notable achievement was the arrest of the trawler Kanbal III, previously featured in the National Geographic series Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller for  "going dark"—a clear indicator of potential illegal fishing. While no illegal activity was found during the initial inspection, subsequent boardings revealed serious safety violations, leading to its arrest and escort to the port of Monrovia. This incident highlights the importance of our ongoing patrols in ensuring maritime safety and enforcing regulations.

Sierra Leone Coastal Defense

In early 2023, following the arrest of three trawlers for illegal fishing, over 70 vessels retreated to port upon learning of our patrols aboard the M/Y Age of Union. Captain Peter Hammarstedt reported: “I remember watching a parade of ships—dozens of them—filing into the Port of Freetown, because inspections were underway. The combined fishing efforts of seventy ships ground to a stop for the duration of the mission.” This method of deterrence is not only innovative but also highly effective, marking a significant step forward in our efforts to combat illegal fishing.

The Gambia Coastal Defense CampaignThe waters of The Gambia have become notorious for IUU fishing. Of the 99 vessels arrested for illegal fishing in West Africa, 35 were apprehended in Gambian waters. This past March, eight industrial trawlers were arrested in a sting operation by the Gambian Navy soldiers stationed on the M/Y Age of Union, including one charged with fifty-six counts of fishing in the Special Management Area. The captain was so audacious that he’d marked each position of illegal fishing in the ship’s official logbook. Another fishing vessel had hidden fifty-four shark fins on board. Another industrialized trawler named Twenty—with connections to an Italian fishing company—was arrested after law enforcement agents discovered that the vessel was using undersized, illegal, fishing nets to catch octopus, cuttlefish and shrimp for export to the European market. They were carrying boxes labeled “Sustainable Certified.” The arrests have deterred industrialized trawlers from entering the area reserved for artisanal fishermen where industrial fishing is prohibited, and The Gambian Ministry of Defense has renewed its 5-year partnership with Sea Shepherd Global to continue at-sea patrols and ensure ongoing deterrence.

COMMUNITY IMPACT AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT

Empowering Local Communities

As of 2024, Sea Shepherd has aided in the arrest of 99 vessels across Africa, proving to be a powerful deterrent to IUU activities. On a recent patrol, local fishermen accompanied our team on the M/Y Age of Union, illustrating the stark contrast between their artisanal canoes and the industrial trawlers. Local fisherman James Logan remarked, “When the big boat shows up, the trawlers leave.”

Enhancing Scientific Capabilities

In 2023, we reinforced our impact by integrating scientists aboard the M/Y Age of Union to analyze catches during inspections. Their research on catch volume, species diversity, and fish size enables us to measure our campaign’s ecological impact. Marine biologist Emma shared her insights after a particularly intense day of eight arrests: “Hearing the stats about the masses of fish that are pulled from our oceans every day is overwhelming, but compiling all the small wins makes a difference.”

Shining a Light on Crimes at Sea

Even without local authorities onboard, our fleet allows Sea Shepherd to document incidents far from shore. In February 2022, the M/Y Age of Union captured shocking footage of 100,000 dead fish in France’s Bay of Biscay, igniting international outrage and prompting investigations into fishing practices. Evidence like this is crucial in holding violators accountable.

LOOKING AHEAD

The accomplishments of the M/Y Age of Union over the past two years highlight the profound impact of dedicated collaboration in the fight against illegal fishing. As we continue our mission, we remain committed to expanding our partnerships and safeguarding the oceans for future generations

To do this, we need your support to ensure the M/Y Age of Union is ready for its next mission as soon as possible! Your donations will directly contribute to preparing the vessel for more patrols, enabling us to continue our fight against illegal fishing and protect our oceans.
 

Donate now and make a difference for the ocean today!