Reeled in: activists battle industrial fishing off Aust
Environmental activists have intercepted an industrial longline fishing operation off the coast of Australia, seizing hundreds of baited hooks and releasing more than a dozen of marine animals, including an endangered shark.
Operating from a small inflatable boat, the activists confronted a European Union-flagged industrial fishing vessel, which had just left the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, where it fished for 160 days last year, according to Greenpeace.
The action comes ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in France, as activists warn Australia's oceans face growing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and industrialisation.
Leaders from the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace are urging the federal government to honour its climate commitments at the upcoming conference.
They also called for the establishment of the Global Ocean Treaty within the first 100 days of government and the proposal of large marine sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea, where activists recently intercepted a large fishing vessel.
Georgia Whitaker, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the scale of industrial fishing on the high seas is "astronomical."
During the rescue operation, she said activists witnessed "shark after shark being hauled up by industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour".
Activists retrieved an entire fishing line, including more than 210 baited hooks from the vessel including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish.
"These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life," Ms Whitaker said.
"We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks."
Greenpeace said they have been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China over the past three weeks.
More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing, according to 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Environmental activists have intercepted an industrial longline fishing operation off the coast of Australia, seizing hundreds of baited hooks and releasing more than a dozen of marine animals, including an endangered shark.
Operating from a small inflatable boat, the activists confronted a European Union-flagged industrial fishing vessel, which had just left the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, where it fished for 160 days last year, according to Greenpeace.
The action comes ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in France, as activists warn Australia's oceans face growing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and industrialisation.
Leaders from the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace are urging the federal government to honour its climate commitments at the upcoming conference.
They also called for the establishment of the Global Ocean Treaty within the first 100 days of government and the proposal of large marine sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea, where activists recently intercepted a large fishing vessel.
Georgia Whitaker, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the scale of industrial fishing on the high seas is "astronomical."
During the rescue operation, she said activists witnessed "shark after shark being hauled up by industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour".
Activists retrieved an entire fishing line, including more than 210 baited hooks from the vessel including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish.
"These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life," Ms Whitaker said.
"We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks."
Greenpeace said they have been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China over the past three weeks.
More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing, according to 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Environmental activists have intercepted an industrial longline fishing operation off the coast of Australia, seizing hundreds of baited hooks and releasing more than a dozen of marine animals, including an endangered shark.
Operating from a small inflatable boat, the activists confronted a European Union-flagged industrial fishing vessel, which had just left the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, where it fished for 160 days last year, according to Greenpeace.
The action comes ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in France, as activists warn Australia's oceans face growing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and industrialisation.
Leaders from the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace are urging the federal government to honour its climate commitments at the upcoming conference.
They also called for the establishment of the Global Ocean Treaty within the first 100 days of government and the proposal of large marine sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea, where activists recently intercepted a large fishing vessel.
Georgia Whitaker, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the scale of industrial fishing on the high seas is "astronomical."
During the rescue operation, she said activists witnessed "shark after shark being hauled up by industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour".
Activists retrieved an entire fishing line, including more than 210 baited hooks from the vessel including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish.
"These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life," Ms Whitaker said.
"We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks."
Greenpeace said they have been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China over the past three weeks.
More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing, according to 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Environmental activists have intercepted an industrial longline fishing operation off the coast of Australia, seizing hundreds of baited hooks and releasing more than a dozen of marine animals, including an endangered shark.
Operating from a small inflatable boat, the activists confronted a European Union-flagged industrial fishing vessel, which had just left the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, where it fished for 160 days last year, according to Greenpeace.
The action comes ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in France, as activists warn Australia's oceans face growing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and industrialisation.
Leaders from the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace are urging the federal government to honour its climate commitments at the upcoming conference.
They also called for the establishment of the Global Ocean Treaty within the first 100 days of government and the proposal of large marine sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea, where activists recently intercepted a large fishing vessel.
Georgia Whitaker, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the scale of industrial fishing on the high seas is "astronomical."
During the rescue operation, she said activists witnessed "shark after shark being hauled up by industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour".
Activists retrieved an entire fishing line, including more than 210 baited hooks from the vessel including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish.
"These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life," Ms Whitaker said.
"We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks."
Greenpeace said they have been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China over the past three weeks.
More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing, according to 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Reeled in: activists battle industrial fishing off Aust
Environmental activists have intercepted an industrial longline fishing operation off the coast of Australia, seizing hundreds of baited hooks and releasing more than a dozen of marine animals, including an endangered shark. Operating from a small inflatable boat, the activists confronted a European Union-flagged industrial fishing vessel, which had just left the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, where it fished for 160 days last year, according to Greenpeace. The action comes ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in France, as activists warn Australia's oceans face growing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and industrialisation. Leaders from the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace are urging the federal government to honour its climate commitments at the upcoming conference. They also called for the establishment of the Global Ocean Treaty within the first 100 days of government and the proposal of large marine sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea, where activists recently intercepted a large fishing vessel. Georgia Whitaker, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the scale of industrial fishing on the high seas is "astronomical." During the rescue operation, she said activists witnessed "shark after shark being hauled up by industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour". Activists retrieved an entire fishing line, including more than 210 baited hooks from the vessel including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish. "These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life," Ms Whitaker said. "We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks." Greenpeace said they have been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China over the past three weeks. More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing, according to 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Environmental activists have intercepted an industrial longline fishing operation off the coast of Australia, seizing hundreds of baited hooks and releasing more than a dozen of marine animals, including an endangered shark. Operating from a small inflatable boat, the activists confronted a European Union-flagged industrial fishing vessel, which had just left the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, where it fished for 160 days last year, according to Greenpeace. The action comes ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in France, as activists warn Australia's oceans face growing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and industrialisation. Leaders from the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace are urging the federal government to honour its climate commitments at the upcoming conference. They also called for the establishment of the Global Ocean Treaty within the first 100 days of government and the proposal of large marine sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea, where activists recently intercepted a large fishing vessel. Georgia Whitaker, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the scale of industrial fishing on the high seas is "astronomical." During the rescue operation, she said activists witnessed "shark after shark being hauled up by industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour". Activists retrieved an entire fishing line, including more than 210 baited hooks from the vessel including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish. "These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life," Ms Whitaker said. "We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks." Greenpeace said they have been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China over the past three weeks. More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing, according to 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Environmental activists have intercepted an industrial longline fishing operation off the coast of Australia, seizing hundreds of baited hooks and releasing more than a dozen of marine animals, including an endangered shark. Operating from a small inflatable boat, the activists confronted a European Union-flagged industrial fishing vessel, which had just left the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, where it fished for 160 days last year, according to Greenpeace. The action comes ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in France, as activists warn Australia's oceans face growing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and industrialisation. Leaders from the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace are urging the federal government to honour its climate commitments at the upcoming conference. They also called for the establishment of the Global Ocean Treaty within the first 100 days of government and the proposal of large marine sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea, where activists recently intercepted a large fishing vessel. Georgia Whitaker, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the scale of industrial fishing on the high seas is "astronomical." During the rescue operation, she said activists witnessed "shark after shark being hauled up by industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour". Activists retrieved an entire fishing line, including more than 210 baited hooks from the vessel including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish. "These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life," Ms Whitaker said. "We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks." Greenpeace said they have been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China over the past three weeks. More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing, according to 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Environmental activists have intercepted an industrial longline fishing operation off the coast of Australia, seizing hundreds of baited hooks and releasing more than a dozen of marine animals, including an endangered shark. Operating from a small inflatable boat, the activists confronted a European Union-flagged industrial fishing vessel, which had just left the Lord Howe Rise and South Tasman Sea, where it fished for 160 days last year, according to Greenpeace. The action comes ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in France, as activists warn Australia's oceans face growing threats from climate change, habitat loss, and industrialisation. Leaders from the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace are urging the federal government to honour its climate commitments at the upcoming conference. They also called for the establishment of the Global Ocean Treaty within the first 100 days of government and the proposal of large marine sanctuaries, including in the Tasman Sea, where activists recently intercepted a large fishing vessel. Georgia Whitaker, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the scale of industrial fishing on the high seas is "astronomical." During the rescue operation, she said activists witnessed "shark after shark being hauled up by industrial fleets, including three endangered sharks in just half an hour". Activists retrieved an entire fishing line, including more than 210 baited hooks from the vessel including an endangered longfin mako shark, eight near-threatened blue sharks and four swordfish. "These longliners are industrial killing machines. Greenpeace Australia Pacific took peaceful and direct action to disrupt this attack on marine life," Ms Whitaker said. "We saved important species that would otherwise have been killed or left to die on hooks." Greenpeace said they have been documenting longlining vessels and practices off Australia's east coast, including from Spain and China over the past three weeks. More than two-thirds of sharks worldwide are endangered, and a third of those are at risk of extinction from overfishing, according to 2024 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Trump, Merz discuss Ukraine and trade in Oval Office
US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have kicked off a White House meeting with talks on Ukraine and trade but none of the fireworks that have characterised some other Oval Office meetings with foreign leaders. Trump described Merz as a good representative of Germany and also "difficult," which he suggested was a compliment. He said US troops would remain in Germany and said it was positive that the government there was spending more money on defence. Merz said he was pleased to be there and preparing for a deeper relationship with the United States. The two leaders met in the Oval Office, which has been the site of showdowns between Trump and visiting dignitaries including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Not so on Thursday. Trump and Merz, both conservatives, appeared to have a warm rapport from the start. Merz started with praise, thanking Trump for putting him up in the Blair House, a presidential guest dwelling across from the White House, and Trump thanked him for doing so. But tensions over trade simmered under the surface of their encounter. The United States and the European Union are in talks to reach a trade deal, which would be critical for Germany's export-heavy economy, but Trump said he would be fine with an agreement or with tariffs. "We'll end up hopefully with a trade deal," Trump said. "I'm okay with the tariffs or we make a deal with the trade." Merz, who took office last month, told reporters ahead of the meeting that they would discuss Russia's war in Ukraine, US tariffs and the NATO military alliance in the meeting but said he was not expecting major breakthroughs. Germany is the second largest military and financial backer of Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion, after the United States. Merz and Trump could find some common ground given they share business backgrounds, membership in conservative political parties, a focus on fighting illegal immigration and a fondness for golf, said Steven Sokol, president and CEO of the American Council on Germany. US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have kicked off a White House meeting with talks on Ukraine and trade but none of the fireworks that have characterised some other Oval Office meetings with foreign leaders. Trump described Merz as a good representative of Germany and also "difficult," which he suggested was a compliment. He said US troops would remain in Germany and said it was positive that the government there was spending more money on defence. Merz said he was pleased to be there and preparing for a deeper relationship with the United States. The two leaders met in the Oval Office, which has been the site of showdowns between Trump and visiting dignitaries including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Not so on Thursday. Trump and Merz, both conservatives, appeared to have a warm rapport from the start. Merz started with praise, thanking Trump for putting him up in the Blair House, a presidential guest dwelling across from the White House, and Trump thanked him for doing so. But tensions over trade simmered under the surface of their encounter. The United States and the European Union are in talks to reach a trade deal, which would be critical for Germany's export-heavy economy, but Trump said he would be fine with an agreement or with tariffs. "We'll end up hopefully with a trade deal," Trump said. "I'm okay with the tariffs or we make a deal with the trade." Merz, who took office last month, told reporters ahead of the meeting that they would discuss Russia's war in Ukraine, US tariffs and the NATO military alliance in the meeting but said he was not expecting major breakthroughs. Germany is the second largest military and financial backer of Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion, after the United States. Merz and Trump could find some common ground given they share business backgrounds, membership in conservative political parties, a focus on fighting illegal immigration and a fondness for golf, said Steven Sokol, president and CEO of the American Council on Germany. US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have kicked off a White House meeting with talks on Ukraine and trade but none of the fireworks that have characterised some other Oval Office meetings with foreign leaders. Trump described Merz as a good representative of Germany and also "difficult," which he suggested was a compliment. He said US troops would remain in Germany and said it was positive that the government there was spending more money on defence. Merz said he was pleased to be there and preparing for a deeper relationship with the United States. The two leaders met in the Oval Office, which has been the site of showdowns between Trump and visiting dignitaries including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Not so on Thursday. Trump and Merz, both conservatives, appeared to have a warm rapport from the start. Merz started with praise, thanking Trump for putting him up in the Blair House, a presidential guest dwelling across from the White House, and Trump thanked him for doing so. But tensions over trade simmered under the surface of their encounter. The United States and the European Union are in talks to reach a trade deal, which would be critical for Germany's export-heavy economy, but Trump said he would be fine with an agreement or with tariffs. "We'll end up hopefully with a trade deal," Trump said. "I'm okay with the tariffs or we make a deal with the trade." Merz, who took office last month, told reporters ahead of the meeting that they would discuss Russia's war in Ukraine, US tariffs and the NATO military alliance in the meeting but said he was not expecting major breakthroughs. Germany is the second largest military and financial backer of Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion, after the United States. Merz and Trump could find some common ground given they share business backgrounds, membership in conservative political parties, a focus on fighting illegal immigration and a fondness for golf, said Steven Sokol, president and CEO of the American Council on Germany. US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have kicked off a White House meeting with talks on Ukraine and trade but none of the fireworks that have characterised some other Oval Office meetings with foreign leaders. Trump described Merz as a good representative of Germany and also "difficult," which he suggested was a compliment. He said US troops would remain in Germany and said it was positive that the government there was spending more money on defence. Merz said he was pleased to be there and preparing for a deeper relationship with the United States. The two leaders met in the Oval Office, which has been the site of showdowns between Trump and visiting dignitaries including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Not so on Thursday. Trump and Merz, both conservatives, appeared to have a warm rapport from the start. Merz started with praise, thanking Trump for putting him up in the Blair House, a presidential guest dwelling across from the White House, and Trump thanked him for doing so. But tensions over trade simmered under the surface of their encounter. The United States and the European Union are in talks to reach a trade deal, which would be critical for Germany's export-heavy economy, but Trump said he would be fine with an agreement or with tariffs. "We'll end up hopefully with a trade deal," Trump said. "I'm okay with the tariffs or we make a deal with the trade." Merz, who took office last month, told reporters ahead of the meeting that they would discuss Russia's war in Ukraine, US tariffs and the NATO military alliance in the meeting but said he was not expecting major breakthroughs. Germany is the second largest military and financial backer of Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion, after the United States. Merz and Trump could find some common ground given they share business backgrounds, membership in conservative political parties, a focus on fighting illegal immigration and a fondness for golf, said Steven Sokol, president and CEO of the American Council on Germany.
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Trump, Merz discuss Ukraine and trade in Oval Office
US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have kicked off a White House meeting with talks on Ukraine and trade but none of the fireworks that have characterised some other Oval Office meetings with foreign leaders. Trump described Merz as a good representative of Germany and also "difficult," which he suggested was a compliment. He said US troops would remain in Germany and said it was positive that the government there was spending more money on defence. Merz said he was pleased to be there and preparing for a deeper relationship with the United States. The two leaders met in the Oval Office, which has been the site of showdowns between Trump and visiting dignitaries including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Not so on Thursday. Trump and Merz, both conservatives, appeared to have a warm rapport from the start. Merz started with praise, thanking Trump for putting him up in the Blair House, a presidential guest dwelling across from the White House, and Trump thanked him for doing so. But tensions over trade simmered under the surface of their encounter. The United States and the European Union are in talks to reach a trade deal, which would be critical for Germany's export-heavy economy, but Trump said he would be fine with an agreement or with tariffs. "We'll end up hopefully with a trade deal," Trump said. "I'm okay with the tariffs or we make a deal with the trade." Merz, who took office last month, told reporters ahead of the meeting that they would discuss Russia's war in Ukraine, US tariffs and the NATO military alliance in the meeting but said he was not expecting major breakthroughs. Germany is the second largest military and financial backer of Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion, after the United States. Merz and Trump could find some common ground given they share business backgrounds, membership in conservative political parties, a focus on fighting illegal immigration and a fondness for golf, said Steven Sokol, president and CEO of the American Council on Germany.
