Canada: Shark finning and dark vessels uncovered in Coast Guard North Pacific patrol

The Canadian Coast Guard ship Sir Wilfrid Laurier concluded a two-month operation, Operation North Pacific Guard, in the North Pacific to combat illegal fishing. The operation led to the detection of illegal fishing activities, including unreported catches, marine pollution, and the first enforcement of a ban on Pacific salmon retention. Despite finding an illegal catch of Pacific saury worth $3 million, it was not seized and instead referred to the responsible country for investigation. The mission also marked the first use of eco-friendly biofuel by a Canadian Coast Guard vessel, reducing emissions by 80%. The ship's first port visit to Japan was also significant, showcasing the high percentage of female crew members.

There was nowhere to hide for illegal fishing vessels on the high seas of the North Pacific, with crew members onboard the Victoria-based Canadian Coast Guard ship Sir Wilfrid Laurier patrolling the area for unreported and unregulated fishing. After two months travelling an estimated 20,000 kilometres, the ship returned to Victoria on Oct. 28. Among the findings of the mission were illegally harvested shark fins, evidence of fishing in closed season, unreported catches and instances of marine pollution. Fifteen vessels, mostly Asian distant water fishing fleets and some from Russia, were boarded during the mission, known as Operation North Pacific Guard. The boardings also presented Canadian officers with their first opportunity to enforce the newly adopted ban on Pacific salmon retention, which has been in force for North Pacific fishing fleets since July. On board one vessel, approximately 20 tonnes of Pacific saury was found, worth in the range of $3 million, said Dustin De ...