Spanish Fleet Intercepted on Grand Banks

[The.Greenbase@gb.greenpeace.org]

>> GREENPEACE VESSELS INTERCEPTS SPANISH FLEET ON GRAND BANKS  


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                    GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> GREENPEACE VESSELS INTERCEPTS SPANISH FLEET ON GRAND BANKS  
 
OTTAWA, March 24 1995, 12:30 eastern (GP) The chartered
Greenpeace vessel Cape Mugford has sighted 3 Spanish trawlers
fishing on the nose of the Grand Banks. Also in vicinity was the
Spanish patrol vessel P-79, and the Canadian Fisheries patrol
vessel Cape Roger.
 
Greepeace Spain's fisheries campaigner Ricardo (Riki) Aguilar
began radio broadcasts to the Spanish fleet with list of
Greenpeace demands for conservation of fish stocks. Aguilar
advised the European trawlers to heed the moratorium proposed by
Greenpeace and to stop fishing immediately.
 
The weather conditions, strong winds and waves of 15-20 feet, as
of 12 noon eastern do not allow Greenpeace to launch small boats.
Greenpeace will take direct action on the vessels as soon as
weather conditions permit.
 
Greenpeace identified the three trawlers as the Moradina, Arcay
and the Playa de Rodas. The Moradina and the Arcay had their nets
in the water.
 
The Greenpeace campaigners will schedule regular radio broadcasts
to the Spanish fishers, with information on the goals of the
United Nations conference, selective harvesting and by-catch, and
the international environmental organization's demands for
fisheries conservation. Aguilar will attempt to engage the fleet
in dialogue. 
 
At 11:45 am (Eastern) the Cape Mugford's position was 47.59.4N,
46.42.28W 
 
ENDS
 
For more information and updates contact: 
 
Catherine Stewart  Fisheries Campaigner 613-562-1004 until 4 p.m.
and 709-754-7788 from 10:00 EST onwards.
 
Steve Shallhorn    Campaign Director       613-562-1004
 
David Robbins      Campaigner              416-597-8408