Nigerian vessel detained in Malaysia

New Zealand fishing company Sanford, which is one of only two New Zealand companies permitted to source toothfish from the Ross Sea fishery, has welcomed the news since the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) fisheries are carefully managed and illegal fishing of this species is a threat to conservation efforts.

“This is an excellent example of the concerted effort that is needed to stomp out the last few remaining IUU, or illegal, unreported or unregulated vessels operating in Antarctic waters,” said Greg Johansson, chief operations officer. “We need more work like this to stop the landing and selling of illegally caught fish irrespective of the species, and the reflagging of pirate vessels almost at will.”

Malaysian authorities say the vessel detained, Perlon, had changed its name and flag several times.

The seizure is being reported in Malaysia as the biggest by local authorities this year and is reportedly worth around NZ$8.6m (US$6.4m).

Sanford says its vessels operating in Antarctic waters are constantly on the look-out for evidence of pirate vessel activity and are grateful for the help of the Royal New Zealand Navy and vessels like those from Sea Shepherd, in trying to track the activities of any pirate vessel. Pirate vessels have never been found operating in the Ross Sea.

“It is part of the CCAMLR licence agreement for the Ross Sea that Sanford vessels will monitor and report any illegal activity they come across. But it takes a collective international effort by all port and flag states to drive these pirate vessels out of business,” added Mr Johansson.