A Canadian Coast Guard mission in the North Pacific discovered illegal shark fin harvesting and vessels operating with their legally required monitoring systems turned off, among other violations.
The CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier launched its annual mission – dubbed Operation North Pacific Guard – against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in September, leading the multinational effort to protect fish populations in the North Pacific via high seas patrols, air surveillance, and satellite monitoring. The mission was supported by the U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA.
“Canada’s ongoing presence in the North Pacific is an example of the multinational cooperation required to monitor and protect fish stocks and marine ecosystems,” Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier said upon the vessel’s safe return to port 28 October. “My sincere thanks go out to the expert crew of fishery officers, Canadian Coast Guard personnel, and our partners in the United States Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for their efforts in the air and at sea this year under Operation North Pacific Guard.”
During the mission, enforcement officers patrolled roughly 20,000 kilometers of ocean and boarded 15 fishing vessels to conduct investigations. Those encounters uncovered illegally harvested shark fins, evidence of fishing during a closed season, unreported catch, and pollution. The coast guard also reported multiple instances of “dark vessels” – fishing vessels operating with their required monitoring systems turned off.
Aerial surveillance conducted from Japan in collaboration with fishery officers from Japan and South Korea revealed additional violations. Air crews flew over 50,000 nautical miles over 34 patrols, uncovering more evidence of shark finning, the targeted harvest of dolphins, pollution, and incorrectly marked vessels.
The Canadian government said it is following up with the flag states of offending vessels to push for sanctions and further investigations.
“The government of Canada will continue to take action to support law-abiding harvesters, including collaborating with our international partners to safeguard global marine ecosystems,” the Canadian government said in a statement.
