International Operation Nets Illegal Fishing in the North Pacific

Photographic evidence of illegal high seas driftnet fishing by ten vessels was gathered during a recent aerial operation in the North Pacific. The surveillance patrol is contribution to Operation Driftnet – an annual activity to detect illegal fishing that is conducted on board the Canadian Air Force Aurora aircraft by a military crew of 14, and fishery officers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the U.S.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Operation Driftnet is one of the ways that the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission enforces the United Nations ban on high seas driftnets. Members of the NPAFC include Canada, the United States, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Korea and Japan. China is also a co-operating non-party of this organization.

More than four million square kilometres of the North Pacific Ocean are monitored during Operation Driftnet. Patrol activities take place from early spring to the fall.

Evidence collected during the recent operation included attempts to hide ships’ markings and dump papers overboard. The Operation Driftnet crew also reported that radio calls to most of the ships went unanswered. This evidence was sent to the countries responsible for the fishing vessels for further investigation and prosecution. It was also shared with all NPAFC members and China.

As a result of this year’s operation, two of the ten vessels illegally fishing with high seas driftnets have already been seized: the first was arrested by Russian authorities; the second escorted by U.S. Coast Guard to a Chinese frigate.

The ten sightings, while still significant, are a decrease from the 20 vessels identified during Operation Driftnet surveillance activities in 2006. Decreasing incidents of illegal fishing activities suggests that international efforts to improve monitoring, control and surveillance activities on the high seas are working. They also reflect efforts by regional organizations such as the NPAFC to promote sustainable fisheries management.

News Releases, Backgrounders and Other Features

High Seas Stake-Out: The Hunt for Illegal Fishing in the Pacific (Canadian Air Force, September 28, 2007)

Aerial Surveillance Patrols Curb Illegal Fishing in the North Pacific (August 9, 2007)

Operation Driftnet (September 2006)