After Oceana’s investigation, the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) announced its decision to keep the fish factory vessel ‘Vladivostok 2000’ (previously named Damanzaihao) on the list of illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing vessels. In the meantime, the Organisation warned China, Panama and Cook Islands for providing assistance to the vessel.
Specifically, SPRFMO’s Compliance and Technical Committee discovered that the three countries were not compliant with conservation and management measures to combat IUU fishing. Thus, the Organisation issued them a ‘priority non-compliance‘ status, that represents its regulations.
Moreover, Beth Lowell deputy vice president of U.S. campaigns at Oceana noted that Oceana supports SPRFMO’s decision. She continued stating that along with technology organisations are now able to be aware of things illegal activities happening beyond the horizon.
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In addition to technology, Oceana used the Global Fishing Watch’s mapping platform to investigate Vladivostok 2000.
Liesbeth van der Meer, executive director of Oceana Chile noted that it wouldn’t be able to track this vessel, if it weren’t for Global Fishing Watch’s technology.
According to Oceana, Vladivostok 200, that’s under Moldova’s flag for the time being, is one of the world’s largest vessel and has a history of altering names and reflagging to various countries.
Although it was originally built as an oil tanker, it was re-built to be used as a one-stop-shop fish processor, with the ability to store, freeze, process and transfer fish.
Concluding, the Commission has currently 15 members: Australia, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Cuba, Ecuador, E.U., Denmark, South Korea, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, Chinese Taipei, the U.S. and Vanuatu.
