On 2 January, the Chinese-flagged fishing vessel ‘Guo Ji 809’ was arrested by the Liberian Coast Guard for illegal fishing in Liberian waters. Upon investigation, it was found that the vessel had been granted a Liberian fishing license, but this license had expired on 31 December, according to data provided by Sea Shepherd organization.
Sea Shepherd’s vessel assisted at the arrest, as its ‘M/Y Sam Simon’ detected the fishing vessel by radar, as it navigated Liberian waters “at a speed indicating trawling activity”. A Liberian Coast Guard Boarding Team quickly mobilized on board the M/Y Sam Simon and proceeded to the target where it was discovered that the vessel had just retrieved a trawl net. On deck was wet and unsecured fishing gear, fresh and alive fish, and crew dressed in wet weather gear used for fishing.
This means the Guo Ji 809 had continued to fish into the new year, both on the 1st and 2nd of January, allegedly against the advice of the Liberian Fisheries Observer on board, who admitted that the vessel was actively engaged in fishing.
As explained, developing countries are particularly vulnerable to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which accounts for up to 40% of the fish caught in West African waters. In particular, fishing without a Liberian fishing license is the most serious offense under the Liberian Fisheries Regulations, for which the penalty can be a fine up to USD 1,000,000.
The F/V Guo Ji 809 was placed under arrest and is now detained in the port of Monrovia awaiting prosecution.
Since February 2017, under the name Operation Sola Stella, Sea Shepherd been assisting Liberian government to tackle IUU fishing by providing the use of a civilian offshore patrol vessel operating in Liberian waters, under the direction of the Liberian Ministry of National Defense. In 2016, the organization partnered with the government of Gabon for Operation Albacore, resulting in over 80 fishing vessel inspections at sea and the subsequent arrest of five IUU Congolese fishing trawlers and one Spanish long-liner.
“The arrest of the Guo Ji 809 highlights the need for constant vigilance at sea. Although Operation Sola Stella has brought an end to incursions of unlicensed foreign industrial fishing vessels, we must be equally invested in controlling vessels that are, or have been, licensed to fish in Liberia”, said Brownie Samukai, Minister of National Defense for Liberia.
