During the past three weeks, two Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora patrol aircraft have repeatedly scoured a 4.1 million square kilometre expanse of the North Pacific in search of vessels engaged in illegal, unregulated or unreported (IUU) fishing on the high seas. This year, the air patrols spotted and reported five vessels suspected of activities ranging from vessel identity theft to undocumented at sea transfers.
Of particular interest to the authorities was a fish cargo ship which had crossed the Pacific Ocean bound for Dutch Harbor, Alaska, presumably to load or offload fish. Upon arrival to port on the evening of May 8, 2005, US National Marine Fisheries Agents inspected the vessel and found small quantities of fish aboard with corresponding documentation. The vessel departed several hours later in the middle of the night for Japan, without loading or offloading fish product or provisions. Details from this and the other cases have been passed to the appropriate governments and are currently under investigation.
These Air Force long-range aircraft patrols are conducted in support of Fisheries and Oceans Canada with the cooperation of the United States Coast Guard, as part of Canada’s contribution to an international alliance with the United States, Russia, Japan and South Korea that has, since the first such annual patrols in 1992, succeeded in stemming most IUU fishing in the North Pacific.
Operation Drifnet
Operation Drifnet, the Air Force’s name for the annual Aurora patrols have, from 1993 to 2005, detected 58 vessels suspected of illegal fishing or other dubious activities. Over the same period, 15 vessels have been apprehended by the above participating countries.
“Canada’s participation in Operation Driftnet is another important way that we are working to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing on the high seas,” said Geoff Regan, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “IUU fishing is a global problem that demands global action. We are pleased to play a role in this multilateral initiative with our partners in the North Pacific.”
This year’s operation began on April 27, 2005. Two CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft and some 40 personnel from 19 Wing Comox, B.C., and 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S. were deployed to Shemya (a remote and rugged Alaskan Island airbase at the western tip of the Aleutian chain). Fishery officers from the Pacific Region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and their American counterparts from the National Marine Fisheries Service flew aboard the Auroras to positively identify IUU fishing activities and to enforce international fishery law.
With the conclusion of the joint operation for 2005, the United States Coast Guard, Japan Fisheries Agency and the Russian Federal Border Service will continue to patrol the North Pacific in search for those that pose a threat to our mutual economic and environmental interests.
"The participation of the Canadian Air Force in aerial surveillance of the North Pacific Ocean is important to the success of our multinational efforts," said Rear Adm. James C. Olson, Commander, United States Coast Guard 17th District in Juneau, Alaska. "We continue to patrol the waters of the North Pacific and coordinate with our international partners to identify and prosecute vessels involved in illegal fishing activity.
“The success of these patrols highlights the importance of our cooperative enforcement efforts. The United States Coast Guard will continue to dedicate assets to this mission, and work closely with our partners to prosecute violators to the fullest extent possible.”
Monitoring and surveillance is an important part of Canada’s strategy to combat illegal fishing activities on the high seas. The strategy also features enhanced diplomatic and advocacy activities, and working in cooperation with international partners to improve the way high seas fisheries are managed internationally.
