Green group to launch Med tuna 'blue rage' in Malta
The clash between Greenpeace and tuna fishermen on Friday.
Conservation Society Sea Shepherd will today launch a "Blue Rage" campaign against the poaching of threatened bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean, the director of its French branch told AFP.
The group's boat Steve Irwin arrived in Malta on Saturday.
Director Lamya Essemlali and the group's founder, Paul Watson, are to join the vessel and its crew of about 40 people today to launch the campaign which would last until mid-July.
"We want to stop the poachers," Essemlali said, adding that Sea Shepherd's boat would consider sailing into Libyan waters, where many poachers operate, to protect the bluefin.
The legal fishing period for the fish is May 15 to June 15, but even during that period the catch is capped by strict international quotas.
Sea Shepherd says on the website www.seashepherd.org/blue-rage the Steve Irwin and its crew "will stand against the illegal overfishing of bluefin tuna."
"We will do everything possible within the boundaries of international law to protect the magnificent bluefin," it says.
Fishermen on Friday hurled a grappling hook at a Greenpeace dinghy trying to free endangered bluefin tuna from their nets off Malta, injuring an activist whose leg was pierced by the hook.
Essemlali said that Greenpeace had been right to target a ship that was fishing legally because, whether legal or not, "it's all endangering stocks of the fish."
"Targets are different before June 15, when illegal fishing is difficult to spot, and afterwards," Essemlali added.
In a May 16 statement on its website, the US-based Sea Shepherd said it suspected that four times the legal quota of 13,500 tons of blue fish tuna would be taken from the Mediterranean, "three-quarters falling into the hands of poachers."
Since the industrial fishing era began, stocks of bluefin tuna have fallen by at least 85 percent in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, where they come to spawn in the warmer waters.
Many of the 100 boats that fish in the Mediterranean carry net cages to contain tuna, which are then towed to fish farms to be fattened and shipped in giant freezer ships to Japan, where they are a mainstay of sushi and sashimi.
Earlier this year the European Union and the United States attempted to ban the trade of the species, but Japan -- where bluefin tuna is a delicacy -- lobbied successfully and the proposal was defeated.
Sea Shepherd considers that France and Italy have made some progress on regulating bluefin tuna fishing, allowing inspectors from the international organisation in charge of managing Atlantic tuna (ICCAT) on board of fleets.
But Greenpeace recently accused ICCAT, as well as CITES, the UN body overseeing wildlife commerce, and the European Union of failing to protect the threatened species.
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Mario Desira
Jun 7th 2010, 23:40
It is sad to note that Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd are doing what worldwide governments should be doing in the first place! As individuals we can all play our part by not buying tuna products............don't support those who are willing to destroy nature to fill their pockets! One ethical consumer multiplied by thousands is a force to reckon with.
victor rodenas
Jun 7th 2010, 21:01
may the bluefin tuna be saved from extintion,but what about the freshwater crab(potomon edulis fluviatis)......people are being given permission to build houses in valleys which are the habitats of this endengered crab.These people have permission to build there just like the tuna fishermen have permission to catch tuna.....maybe bluefin tuna are more lucky than fresh water crabs,or what......It is hippocracy in its utmost form.
Angelica Bossert
Jun 7th 2010, 17:12
"Since the industrial fishing era began, stocks of bluefin tuna have fallen by at least 85 percent in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, where they come to spawn in the warmer waters.".....and "Earlier this year the European Union and the United States attempted to ban the trade of the species, but Japan -- where bluefin tuna is a delicacy -- lobbied successfully and the proposal was defeated."...... When politicians will have the guts to vote with honour and common sense, rather than be influenced by special interest groups, then "legal" will mean something. Till then let's not forget that once even slavery was "legal". Go ahead Greenpeaace and Sea Shepherd. Your members could choose to fatten up their pockets like the greedy and selfish among us, yet you choose instead to do sterling work, even at the cost of sticking your neck out!
Michael Pace
Jun 7th 2010, 17:05
Bluefim tuna have no nationality. Nor do international waters. If illegal fishing is carried on by well equipped trawlers all over the Mediterranean, and even in the Atlantic, stocks will keep on being depleted, and fishermen in Malta will be the first to suffer. And we'll have no more delicious tonn taż-żejt, or even fresh tonn to eat.
It's so sad having Maltese, on the day they commemorate people who shed their blood for us to be able to say "enough is enough", passing the holiday writing to ask everybody to accept everything and not protest against anything. They forget they are protesting too!
graziella cavlan
Jun 7th 2010, 16:35
They are here because some of the tuna will be making its way to Malta's tuna fattening cages, which will then be exported to Japan. Millions of pounds are made by the few you abuse this fishery. I wish the Conservation Society Sea Shepherd the best of luck and safe return. We are 100% behind you.
Edward Camilleri
Jun 7th 2010, 14:34
Greenpeace & any other enrironmental groups are more than welcome. We are desperately in need of those that fight illegalities & greediness.
Why are some afraid of those that are fighting for just causes? Anyone afraid of such envrironmental groups must be doing something illegal. Else they have nothing to worry about.
J. Borg
Jun 7th 2010, 13:50
some self proclaimed "Konservazjonisti" showing their true colours hereunder....
Anthony Formosa
Jun 7th 2010, 12:52
Instead of looking for confrontation with the fishermen, they should have started an education campaign not to eat Tuna of the specific species, or find a means to compensate these fishermen. I have my doubts whether these green peace are trying to protect these species or just to make a show and collect funds.
jspiteri
Jun 7th 2010, 11:14
For those that miss interpreted me...what I meant is if these environmentalist groups have an issue with the French and the Jap fishing fleet they should set up base over to the coast of France and Japan not Malta. If they want to help our well being by all means, come and protest over our polluted air we are breathing. Or are we not a species eligible for protection?
Fabien Sant Fournier
Jun 7th 2010, 13:30
are you serious?? Bluefin tuna have been classified as critically endangered and you think it is the maltese human that needs protection!? ...and even if by some stretch of the imagination humans were endangered, that would be the task of a humanitarian organisation not a marine conservation society!
Graham Crocker
Jun 7th 2010, 15:01
Are you referring to this species? http://bit.ly/cNUpSE
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jun 7th 2010, 10:48
"BLUE RAGE" campaign against the poaching of threatened bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean.
"SPRING WATCH CAMPS' against the poaching of EUROPE's birds held annually in Malta.
WHY MALTA?
When will the Maltese Government realize that it is being used by these extremists at the expense of Malta's international image.
Chris Finch
Jun 7th 2010, 13:13
Wow, you really have no respect for anything living at all do you? When will you be happy? When the last bird is shot from the sky, the last fish taken from the sea and the last animal killed on land? And all to satisfy your need to kill.
The Steve Irwin is not campaigning against Malta, it is campaigning against the extinction of a species in the Mediterranean. Get over your little man syndrome.
Its presence in these waters will benefit Maltese fishermen. After all, when the last tuna is gone, what do you think will happen to the fish farms? To all the jobs and the Japanese money? It will disappear just like the tuna. A few people are getting very rich at the expense of healthy seas.
Welcome Sea Shepherd. Those of us who want to see a healthy environment support you.
Michael Vella
Jun 7th 2010, 13:38
It's not in Malta....it is in international waters....get your facts right first. Once you get those facts right, you might realise that the government has no control over international waters and Greenpeace have the right to protest if they want to!
Anthony Formosa
Jun 7th 2010, 18:32
christian
Jun 7th 2010, 10:11
I would like to wish goodluck to Sea Sheperd and a big well done for the sterling work they do.
victor rodenas
Jun 7th 2010, 10:10
Endangered species must be protected,but if the ship was LEGALLY fishing no one must take the law into his own hands.
Robert Callus
Jun 7th 2010, 11:27
I agree with you in not taking the law in your own hands. However, I have a dilemma here. This issue is extremely urgent since otherwise these species will be extinct in a few years. The fact that this is legal is because of powerful billionaire lobbyists who hijack international decisions against the will and interest on the absolute majority. For example, Genetically Modified food is not only legal in the US but at least 70% of the food Americans consume is GM. Irrespective of the extreme health, economic and environmental problems.
It is legal. But who made it legal in the first place? And why?
victor rodenas
Jun 7th 2010, 13:05
Mr. R Callus,if its legal,its legal.You will not stand 5 min. in court with your reasoning.......we all know that people in Malta build in valleys and the fresh water crab habitat is being destructed.Of course they have a permit to built there,ITS LEGAL......So can we go there and bring down those buildings , so that the qabru will be protected........No...its legal.And who made the law.......................there`s a hole in the bucket,dear Liza,dear Liza.
Joseph E Briffa
Jun 7th 2010, 10:01
@J Spiteri I am afraid you haven't understood a thing. I suggest you do some research young man. Good day.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Jun 7th 2010, 09:02
Why does the local autorities allow such madness? Malta its becoming like a dumping ground. These fanatics should be sent away from Malta and they could takle thier arguments in France or Spain, why should the turnish our Island. Where is the Goverment, is he realy sleeping? Tony
Chris Finch
Jun 7th 2010, 08:55
J spiteri, It is in Malta's interest that these campagins happen. Once the foreign fishing fleets operating in Maltese waters have stripped the Med of these magnificent fish, the Maltese fishermen will have nothing left to catch. Also, one of Sea Shepherd's largest campaigns is against Japan's whaling in the Southern Ocean. Get over the little man syndrome of "They are only picking on Malta because we are small". Read the article, they will patrol international waters and may also enter Libyan waters to prevent the extinction of this species. This has nothing to do with the government. The health of the oceans is equally important to Malta. Just look at the jellyfish explosions we are seeing. Tuna eat jellyfish. dwindling stocks of tuna means more jellyfish. Do you ever want to swim in the sea again? Do you want your children or grandchildren to?
jspiteri
Jun 7th 2010, 08:43
Why can't these fanatics leave Malta in peace. Is it because Malta is an easy pick as we have a spineless Government? I will only welcome these hippie groups in Malta if they could help us with the air pollution in Fgura and to stop the rape by land speculators of our last remaining green spaces.
Anthony Zahra
Jun 7th 2010, 08:52
What's good for the goose is good for the gander...
N Galea
Jun 7th 2010, 09:05
Greenpeace are fanatics. The Sea Shepherd Society are real extremists and will stop at nothing to try and reach their aim.
jane clare
Jun 7th 2010, 09:11
The rape of Malta and of the surrounding sea is driven by the same force - undiluted greed. In the past, greed was balanced by a need for public approval and the limits of available technology. Do not look to history to evaluate the harm being done today - fishing fleets now hoover up the whole tuna shoal - young and old - for the food and profit of people who will not live with the consequences. This is because the boats are bigger, faster, guided by fish finders and co-ordinated by instant communications. You should recognise that it is the traditional fishermen and local population of Malta that will ultimately lose here. The government is weak for not taking a long term view and pandering instead those with money and influence as usual. Remember the government gave grants to encourage tuna fishing so are now embarrassed by a global realisation that fish farms (like bio-fuels) are not an environmentally friendly solution to wasteful Western habits. Wake up and watch the film "End of the Line" if you can - it is more eloquent than I can be. www.endoftheline.com This is an important issue for you too.
A. Borg
Jun 7th 2010, 09:23
It's funny how you call them "Hippies" when it comes to protecting something you don't care about, but then you'd be quick to accept them if they were to help with a problem that affects you directly.
Joseph Camilleri
Jun 7th 2010, 09:51
i guess it was only a matter of time before someone suggested that even this the fault of GonziPN.
Franco Farrugia
Jun 7th 2010, 10:44
So, you want these people to leave the Maltese in peace; at the same time, you don't mind them giving you a helping hand with your own issues. In the same breath, you are not against this group 'interfering' - but only as long as it is your way! What are you doing to combat the two issues you have just mentioned? Oh. I know. As the Maltese saying goes - thalli l-bajtra taqa' f'halqek u thalli ghal haddiehor il-problemi tieghek.
Michael Vella
Jun 7th 2010, 11:46
@ jspiteri
Not quite sure you understand that our government has no control over international waters. However, you came to blame the government for this is beyond me, but it just goes to show how well founded your ridiculous comment is.