Source: Algerian Press

According to media coverage in Algeria cited above and below, the General Secretary and the Director of the Algerian Ministry of Fisheries, and 5 Turkish and 2 Algerian ship-owners, have been charged with illegal fishing activities during the 2009 fishing season, which has involved the capture and laundering of 210 tons of Atlantic bluefin tuna.

The accused members of the Algerian Ministry of Fisheries allegedly agreed to turn a blind eye to illegal fishing for bluefin tuna by the Turkish purse seiner Akuadem 2, and even to prevent the routine inspection of the vessel by coast guards, in return for financial compensation. The Turkish purse seiner was accompanied by 2 tugboats, El Djazaïr 2 and Chahid Rais Hasni, where the tuna were laundered.

The illegal activity, however, was discovered when in early June 2009, coast guards boarded the 3 vessels and the crew was unable to provide any kind of documentation that authorized these vessels to fish for tuna in Algerian waters. They claimed to have purchased all the 210 tons of tuna onboard from Algerian vessels, an unrealistic statement given that Algeria currently has only 4 operating bluefin tuna fishing vessels with a fishing capacity much lower than this catch.

The General Secretary and the Director of the Algerian Ministry of Fisheries may now face up to 8 and 6 years of prison respectively, while the Turkish and Algerian shipowners may face up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to 10 times the value of the 210 tonnes of laundered tuna, and the confiscation of their vessels.

A verdict, however, is not likely to be reached for another 2 to 3 months, says the Algerian media.