Greenpeace has denounced alarming conditions in Pacific fishing. According to the environmental organization, industrial fishing increasingly threatens biodiversity in the oceans – especially endangered Shark Species. The focus is on the Spanish fishing vessel Playa Zahara, which was active in the South Fiji Basin.
Activists Stop Spanish Fishing Vessel Near New Zealand
Activists on board the Rainbow Warrior observed three endangered mako sharks killed in just 30 minutes. In total, the crew freed 14 marine animals – including eight blue sharks, four swordfish, and one endangered longfin mako shark. They also removed 20 kilometers of longlines with over 210 hooks.
Criticism and Legal Grey Areas
The crew of the Playa Zahara emphasized that they operate legally and mainly catch swordfish. The shipping company Viverdreams Fish stated that their catch complies with international regulations. However, a Greenpeace report shows that almost 70 percent of EU longline catches in the Pacific in 2023 consisted of blue sharks – nearly 500,000 animals were recorded as bycatch.
Shark experts warn of the ecological consequences: Since sharks are apex predators crucial for the balance of marine food webs, a decline in their population could have dramatic effects. Greenpeace therefore calls for the swift ratification of the new UN High Seas Agreement to protect biodiversity.
