Sea Shepherd Seizes Costa Rican Longliner in Galapagos Marine Reserve
Report from the Sea Shepherd ship Farley Mowat
The Galapagos National Park Marine Reserve
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship, Farley Mowat, chased and stopped the Costa Rican longliner, Kendy, at 1800 Hours on Thursday, June 10, 2004.
The vessel, registered in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, was caught with long lines in the water at One degree, Thirty-Three minutes North, and 92 Degrees, two minutes West. Her fishing number is P4955.
The vessel stopped when overtaken. Captain Paul Watson advised the Costa Rican crew to remain in the location they were stopped until a Galapagos National Park patrol vessel with Ecuadorian marines arrives to officially arrest them.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was aware that the Costa Rican poachers would take advantage of the political turmoil in the Galapagos to launch poaching assaults on the Galapagos National Park Marine Reserve.
The fact that the Sea Shepherd ship, the Farley Mowat, could intercept an illegal fishing vessel in the marine reserve only two days after departing from Santa Cruz Island is indicative of the frequency of illegal activities in the marine reserve.
The Farley Mowat will remain with the Kendy until the Galapagos National Park patrol vessel arrives.
|
