Case Study - Operation Icefish (Secondary)
1 / 15
Lesson duration is: 20 minIntroduction
This Case Study connects with our Lesson Plans: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. It focuses on our campaign Operation Icefish targeting illegal toothfish poachers operating in Antarctica.
Instructions
This Case Study connects with our Lesson Plans: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing 1 - 3. It focuses on our campaign Operation Icefish targeting illegal toothfish poachers operating in Antarctica.
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
Instructions
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. IUU is one area Sea Shepherd is working on to help stop illegal fishing.
Slide 2 - Slide
During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
Operation Icefish
Over the years, during Sea Shepherd’s anti-whaling campaigns in Antarctica crews have spotted illegal fishing vessels. Some of the most notorious vessels were part of a fleet poaching Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish. These species have been overfished over the years and are subject to strict quotas.
Over the years, during Sea Shepherd’s anti-whaling campaigns in Antarctica crews have spotted illegal fishing vessels. Some of the most notorious vessels were part of a fleet poaching Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish. These species have been overfished over the years and are subject to strict quotas.
Slide 4 - Video
Filling the void
Operation Icefish was the first campaign of its kind, using innovative direct action tactics to fill a law enforcement void exploited by illegal toothfish operators.
The aim was to find illegal fishing operations then document, report and confront them. Unlawful fishing gear would be confiscated and disposed of.
In the course of Operation Icefish, Sea Shepherd patrolled the Southern Ocean 'shadowlands’ in a bid to make a citizen’s arrest (an arrest made by a private citizen to help apprehend law breakers) of the half dozen illegal toothfish operators who continue to exploit these vulnerable fish populations outside of the full reach of the law.
Show this video (1.40min) which introduces the campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5NgZa_WIo4
Operation Icefish was the first campaign of its kind, using innovative direct action tactics to fill a law enforcement void exploited by illegal toothfish operators.
The aim was to find illegal fishing operations then document, report and confront them. Unlawful fishing gear would be confiscated and disposed of.
In the course of Operation Icefish, Sea Shepherd patrolled the Southern Ocean 'shadowlands’ in a bid to make a citizen’s arrest (an arrest made by a private citizen to help apprehend law breakers) of the half dozen illegal toothfish operators who continue to exploit these vulnerable fish populations outside of the full reach of the law.
Show this video (1.40min) which introduces the campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5NgZa_WIo4
Slide 5 - Slide
Illegal vessels
Illegal toothfish vessels operated in a law enforcement vacuum created by the legal and logistical challenges that face conventional policing bodies. Poachers constantly rename and reflag vessels by using, and switching between, shell companies (non listed companies used to own assets) and flags of convenience (the flag the ship is registered in, which is not the country of the owners). Most importantly, illegal toothfish operators exploit the vast remoteness of the Southern Ocean to evade detection where effective surveillance is lacking.
Illegal toothfish vessels operated in a law enforcement vacuum created by the legal and logistical challenges that face conventional policing bodies. Poachers constantly rename and reflag vessels by using, and switching between, shell companies (non listed companies used to own assets) and flags of convenience (the flag the ship is registered in, which is not the country of the owners). Most importantly, illegal toothfish operators exploit the vast remoteness of the Southern Ocean to evade detection where effective surveillance is lacking.
Slide 6 - Slide
CCAMLR
Around Antarctica there is a designated area where fishing is controlled by an organisation called CCAMLR. Which is the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Life Resources. CCAMLR gives fishing vessels licenses to fish in set areas and also sets strict limits on the species and amount they are allowed to catch.
In 2014 Sea Shepherd identified 6 ships that were wanted by international authorities for illegal fishing operations in this area.
Around Antarctica there is a designated area where fishing is controlled by an organisation called CCAMLR. Which is the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Life Resources. CCAMLR gives fishing vessels licenses to fish in set areas and also sets strict limits on the species and amount they are allowed to catch.
In 2014 Sea Shepherd identified 6 ships that were wanted by international authorities for illegal fishing operations in this area.
Slide 7 - Slide
The Thunder
One of those poachers, the Thunder, was located and chased by the Bob Barker for 110 days from Antarctica to the coast of Africa, setting a new record for the longest maritime pursuit of a poacher. The chase ended when the captain of the Thunder finally decided he would not be able to make port with his illegal cargo so he sank his own vessel.
One of those poachers, the Thunder, was located and chased by the Bob Barker for 110 days from Antarctica to the coast of Africa, setting a new record for the longest maritime pursuit of a poacher. The chase ended when the captain of the Thunder finally decided he would not be able to make port with his illegal cargo so he sank his own vessel.
Slide 8 - Video
Gillnets
The nets that these poachers use are illegal. They use gillnets which are a type of net that traps everything in its path. They catch all types of fish; crabs and even jellyfish get caught up in these nets.
During the 2014-15 Icefish campaign Sea Shepherd crew pulled in 3 nets left behind by the Thunder. The total length of these 3 nets was around 72 km.
Show video (1.12 min), which shows the first gillnet being retrieved by the crew of the Sam Simon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZWp1exeKdo&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDuRexL88-dZM1YrXVc9Bza&index=20
The nets that these poachers use are illegal. They use gillnets which are a type of net that traps everything in its path. They catch all types of fish; crabs and even jellyfish get caught up in these nets.
During the 2014-15 Icefish campaign Sea Shepherd crew pulled in 3 nets left behind by the Thunder. The total length of these 3 nets was around 72 km.
Show video (1.12 min), which shows the first gillnet being retrieved by the crew of the Sam Simon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZWp1exeKdo&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDuRexL88-dZM1YrXVc9Bza&index=20
Slide 9 - Video
Suspicious sinking of the Thunder
After being chased for 110 days by the Bob Barker the Thunder suddenly sent out a mayday call, as the vessel was sinking.
Once all the Thunder’s crew had moved to life rafts, crew from the Bob Barker boarded the sinking vessel to investigate and found every hatch door had been opened up. This was to ensure that water found its way into every section of the ship, so it would sink.
The Captain of the Thunder knew that they could not make port without being followed by Sea Shepherd, and would therefore be immediately reported to authorities. They could not let anyone find the evidence of illegal fishing activity on board the Thunder, so they decided to sink the vessel.
Show video (1.52 min), which shows the Thunder’s mayday and the vessel sinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ71Y_g116A&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDuRexL88-dZM1YrXVc9Bza&index=12
After being chased for 110 days by the Bob Barker the Thunder suddenly sent out a mayday call, as the vessel was sinking.
Once all the Thunder’s crew had moved to life rafts, crew from the Bob Barker boarded the sinking vessel to investigate and found every hatch door had been opened up. This was to ensure that water found its way into every section of the ship, so it would sink.
The Captain of the Thunder knew that they could not make port without being followed by Sea Shepherd, and would therefore be immediately reported to authorities. They could not let anyone find the evidence of illegal fishing activity on board the Thunder, so they decided to sink the vessel.
Show video (1.52 min), which shows the Thunder’s mayday and the vessel sinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ71Y_g116A&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDuRexL88-dZM1YrXVc9Bza&index=12
Slide 10 - Video
Operation Icefish campaign summary
During two years of running Operation Icefish Sea Shepherd were able to help detect and report the activities and location of the remaining illegal poachers, bringing to an end the Bandit 6 toothfish poachers.
Show video (3.37 min), which is a summary of the campaign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9feHiXBrTM&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDuRexL88-dZM1YrXVc9Bza&index=2
During two years of running Operation Icefish Sea Shepherd were able to help detect and report the activities and location of the remaining illegal poachers, bringing to an end the Bandit 6 toothfish poachers.
Show video (3.37 min), which is a summary of the campaign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9feHiXBrTM&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbDuRexL88-dZM1YrXVc9Bza&index=2
Name three of the illegal toothfish poachers?
Slide 11 - Open question
Ask students to complete their answers to the following question using the www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“Name three of the 6 illegal toothfish poachers?”
“Name three of the 6 illegal toothfish poachers?”
Why did the crew of the Thunder sink their vessel?
Slide 12 - Open question
Ask students to complete their answers to the following question using the www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“Why did the crew of the Thunder sink their vessel?”
“Why did the crew of the Thunder sink their vessel?”
Write down three things you have learned?
Slide 13 - Open question
What did you learn?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Write down one thing you didn't understand?
Slide 14 - Open question
What don’t you understand?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Slide 15 - Slide
This item has no instructions