MikeLigalig.com

A global chase of a trawler for illegal fishing is a thrilling high-seas adventure tale: “For 110 days and more than 10,000 nautical miles across two seas and three oceans, the Bob Barker and a companion ship, both operated by the environmental organization Sea Shepherd, had trailed the trawler, with the three captains close enough to watch one another’s cigarette breaks and on-deck workout routines,” reports Ian Urbina for the New York Times.


The Thunder, a trawler wanted for illegal fishing, was chased for 110 days and more than 10,000 nautical miles across two seas and three oceans, until it sank in April. Credit Simon Ager/Sea Shepherd Global

“In an epic game of cat-and-mouse, the ships maneuvered through an obstacle course of giant ice floes, endured a cyclone-like storm, faced clashes between opposing crews and nearly collided in what became the longest pursuit of an illegal fishing vessel in history.”


The Thunder, shadowed by the Bob Barker and the Sam Simon, in February. Credit Simon Ager/Sea Shepherd Global

The industrial-scale vessel last known as Thunder had also been linked to money laundering and tax evasion. The trawler had been banned from fishing in the Antarctic since 2006, but was spotted casting gill nets, keeping only toothfish, renamed as Chilean sea bass, that are in high demand by restaurants. Nations fail to invest in protecting common international waters.


Alistair Allan, the bosun on the Bob Barker, on the ship's deck. The Bob Barker never left the trail of the poacher during the chase. Credit Selase Kove-Seyram for The New York Times

From December to April, the activists were relentless in tracking the trawler and collecting evidence until the crew gave up, likely sinking the vessel in waters off Nigeria. One politician noted, “Sea Shepherd is doing what no one else will.” â€" YaleGlobal

Read the article at The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/world/a-renegade-trawler-hunted-for-10000-miles-by-vigilantes.html?_r=0


Toothfish, more popularly called Chilean sea bass, were the Thunder's main catch. Credit Jeff Wirth/Sea Shepherd Global

Crew members from the Sam Simon delivered illegal fishing equipment from the Thunder to the authorities in Mauritius. Credit Jeff Wirth/Sea Shepherd Global

The Thunder illegally burned trash in February. Several governments are considering charges against the ship's owners for illegal fishing and perhaps other crimes, including money laundering and tax evasion. Credit Jeff Wirth/Sea Shepherd Global

The Thunder's crew was rescued in the Atlantic and taken on board the Sam Simon. Credit Jeff Wirth/Sea Shepherd Global

The Thunder in the moments before it was swallowed by the ocean. Sea Shepherd crew members found signs that it had been intentionally scuttled. Credit Simon Ager/Sea Shepherd Global

images from the New York Times

Epic indeed...