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July 17, 2008

Driftnet Fishing Boats Harbored in Lipari Island, Italy

BY: Keith Ellenbogen

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©OCEANA/ Keith Ellenbogen

 

Anchored 15 minutes outside the Harbor of Lipari Island, this morning with a crew of five team members we launched the grey Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) from the Oceana Marviva Med to discreetly document fishing boats and the equipment within the harbor.

On assignment, we noted at least 10-15 fishing boats potentially masked as longliners but armed with driftnets — most likely used for illegal fishing practices. From high above the harbor we photographed a number of fishing boats with winches — a tell-tale sign they are using driftnets.

Back on the Oceana Marviva Med we immediately reported our finding to Expedition Leader Xavier Pastor. Noting the fleet of fishing boats, Xavier suspects these small fishing vessels will leave the harbor in the evening and begin fishing using driftnets during the night.

Our next object will be first, to find the fishing boats, and second, to photograph / videograph the fishing boats with driftnets in the water catching illegal species of fish such as tuna and swordfish.

In addition to photographing fishing boats, from this vantage point was an excellent birds eye view of the city.

We will depart at 4 am…more to follow.