Sample Letter

I am extremely concerned about the continued unlicensed and unregulated plunder of toothfish from the Southern Ocean. The fishing methods employed by these 'pirate' vessels, which operate outside of any regulatory oversight, are unsustainable.

Scientists estimate that at current rates the toothfish fishery will collapse within two years. In addition, thousands of endangered and threatened sea birds are hooked and entangled in the pirates' longlines each year. The entire Southern Ocean ecosystem is at risk.

Seychelles is one of the main flag-of-convenience countries known to provide easy registration for the vessels of companies seeking to avoid the tight regulations imposed by their home countries. I am shocked that this country provides an easy registration option for those who pay no heed to environmental considerations designed to protect the world's oceans and seas - in this case the fragile ocean around Antarctica. I demand that Seychelles end this association with pirate fishing and maintain a shipping register of which your nation can be proud.

Sincerely,