News
Our Seventh Year Protecting the Italian Waters of the Med
Monday, 17 Jun, 2024
Sea Shepherd returned to the Med in the past month, successfully launching the seventh SISO campaign to defend marine wildlife in the Tyrrhenian Sea in partnership with Italian authorities. "After just a few days we have already rescued numerous lives and seized illegal fishing gear in Calabrian waters, and gathered intelligence off the north coast of Sicily” said campaign coordinator Andrea Morello, President of Sea Shepherd Italy.
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The Sea Eagle retrieving illegal FADs. Photo by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global
Crew members hauling up a ghost net. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
A ghostnet like this left in the sea could continue killing indiscriminately for decades. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
Some of the nets collected by the Sea Eagle crew. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
One of the bags of over 15km of longline retrieved from the sea. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
The Sea Eagle crew, made up of volunteers from around the world, began operations with the recovery of over 15 km of abanndoned longline gear in just four days, including hundreds of lethal hooks, intended for the capture of large pelagic fish. This gear, often left drifting, poses a severe threat to all sea life, including critically endangered species.
One of the animals lured by the baited hooks was a large Caretta caretta turtle. "The turtle was struggling immensely, dragging nearly two meters of heavy fishing line and hooks," reported a volunteer. During a challenging nighttime operation, the crew successfully freed the turtle without harm, and transported it to the nearest Coast Guard station in good health.
The operation continued throughout the night until dawn, as Sea Shepherd's crew saved and released several more marine animals back into the sea, including a pair of large mahi-mahi, multiple rays, and various species of tuna. They released a beautiful 80kg bluefin tuna, often victim of illegal fishing this time of year, despite the many prohibitions and restrictions designed to protect them.
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Sea Shepherd crew rescuing a turtle tangled in fishing gear. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
The turtle was spotted dragging fishing line behind it. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
The rescued turtle resting on the Sea Eagle deck. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
The rescued turtle brought to the nearest Coast Guard station, undergoes a careful inspection for injuries. Photo by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
Initiated in 2018 to combat illegal, unreported, and undocumented (IUU) fishing activities that have plagued the Tyrrhenian Sea, the scope of Operation SISO continues to expand, strengthened by agreements with local partners and Italian authorities. Today, Sea Shepherd relentlessly patrols the Italian coastal waters from the Cinque Terre National Park to the Aeolian Islands, equipped with the Sea Eagle patrol ship, the Conrad catamaran, a RHIB fast boat, and a drone.
In addition to taking action against poachers and the use of illegal traps and fishing gear such as driftnets, known as 'walls of death', which are notorious for their devastating impact on marine ecosystems, our crew also systematically remove and dismantle the most significant source of plastic pollution ever documented in the Mediterranean Sea: Fishing Aggregating Devices, or FADs. These large-scale illegal setups composed of plastic lines and floating debris attract dense schools of fish, creating hotspots that not only lead to overfishing but also cause significant bycatch of non-target species.
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Releasing an octopus from an illegal trap. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
Sea Shepherd crew removing a fishing hook from a ray’s mouth. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
Rescuing a mahi-mahi fish from a longline. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
A fuzzy crab rescued by the crew. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
Crew working until dawn to free marine wildlife from the fishing gear. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
"Thanks to Sea Shepherd’s patrols and collaboration with Italian authorities, Operation SISO has achieved significant milestones. For the last four years, there have been zero deaths of sperm whales due to illegal swordfish nets in Tyrrhenian waters, and a 70% reduction in illegal fishing activities, affirming the campaign’s crucial role in preserving marine biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations."
Andrea Morello, President of Sea Shepherd Italy.
Sea Shepherd crew with the Sea Eagle. Photos by Claire Foster/Sea Shepherd Global.
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