Greenpeace is calling on the Fiji Government to do more to battle the problem of illegal fishing in the country’s economic zone as well as the region. The environmental group yesterday released a dossier of vessels it alleges are “pirate fishing vessels†using Fiji ports to unload their catch.
Despite doing its best, the government remains under-resourced to fight the problem, Greenpeace oceans campaigner Quentin Hanich told Fijilive. Hanich believes improved resources would go a long way.
Greenpeace in a statement yesterday alleged an African-flagged vessel with Asian crew, the Zhong I No 73, was one of those vessels it believes flies flags of convenience and are non-compliant with fishing regulations.
The Zhong I No 73 flies the flag of Equatorial Guinea, “a notorious flag of non-complianceâ€. The vessel was today docked at the Kings Wharf in Suva. Alongside it was another vessel alleged to be fishing illegally, the Cambodian flagged Dong Yi I.
Greenpeace said the vessel was not registered on the Forum Fisheries Agency registry as of July 8.
Oceans campaigner Pio Manoa said: "This vessel would not be allowed to sell tuna or swordfish to Europe if they were fishing for tuna in the Atlantic. “Why is it allowed to fish and unload its catch here?â€
Manoa called on government to investigate the vessel and verify its documents and catch records. “If evidence is found that it has been fishing illegally within national waters, then the vessel should be arrested and charged. Otherwise it should be banished from port.â€
Greenpeace puts a “conservative†estimate on the cost of pirate fishing in lost earning to Pacific Island states at between $135 million and $700 million a year. “This is more than the combined amount all Pacific Island states earn in access and license fees.†The organisation estimates at least 5-10 per cent of all fishing within the region’s exclusive economic zones is illegal.