Driftnets are defined as nets whose purpose is to enmesh, entrap or entangle fish by drifting on the surface of the ocean. In the last century, fishing vessels deployed large-scale driftnets across the world, but it quickly became evident that these nets kill all wildlife that come into contact with them. As a result of this, in 1992, the United Nations (UN) banned the use of driftnets on the high seas. In the short length of net initially confiscated from the Fu Yuan Yu 71, the crew of the Steve Irwin recovered the bodies of 321 animals, comprising of multiple species.

The objective of Operation Driftnet is to locate the Fu Yuan Yu fleet, document and gather evidence of their illegal activity, disrupt their operations and confiscate their illegal driftnets. Through direct action, the crew of the Steve Irwin will be able to shut down these illegal operations and draw attention to the resurgence of large-scale industrial drift netting vessels on the high seas. The high seas are areas that are governed by various international rules, regulations and agreements. However, in the absence of proactive enforcement, illegal fishing can thrive in these isolated and distant waters. Sea Shepherd's role is to expose, confront and shut down illegal fishing operations on the world's oceans.