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South AfricaAlthough a member of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, South Africa contributes to the problem of pirate fishing in the Southern Ocean in a number of ways. It continues to apply for CCAMLR toothfish fishing licenses. The continued trade of toothfish is providing the cover for pirate fishers to unload their illegal catch. South African companies own pirate vessels and were involved in the pirate toothfish fishery, particularly at its peak in the mid 1990s. South Africa was a major pirate port at the peak of pirate fishing for toothfish before government restrictions forced some of the pirate landings to Mauritius. However it's thought that pirates continue to use South Africa's ports to land their catches The Patagonian toothfish fishery around South Africa's Prince Edward and Marion Islands was fished to commercial extinction in just two years. Contact the South African government today
Sample Letter Mohammed Valli Moosa I am extremely concerned about the uncontrolled pirate fishing for toothfish in the waters of the Southern Ocean. Scientists estimate that at the current rate of fishing, the fishery would collapse within two years. In addition, many thousands of vulnerable species of seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, are dying on hooks intended to catch toothfish. The entire Southern Ocean ecosystem is at risk. Despite widespread recognition that illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean is raging out of control and very little is known about the extent and impact of illegal fishing, South Africa is placing additional pressure on this unique environment by continuing to apply for CCAMLR licences. This cannot be considered precautionary. It is apparent that South Africa is currently placing more importance on pressure from commercial fishing companies than to the need to conserve this Antarctic fish. Pirate fishing companies will continue to find ways to disguise their trade in illegally caught fish as long as there is toothfish caught under CCAMLR licence on the market. South Africa has also been identified as a "pirate port" country. This means that fish pirates who have been plundering the toothfish of the Southern Ocean know that they can go to South African ports to unload their illegal catch with next to no questions asked. Allowing pirates to land their illegal catches in our ports means that South Africa plays a significant role in the pirate fishing problem and unnecessarily brings this country's reputation, both regionally and internationally, into disrepute. As a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), our government has both the opportunity and responsibility to act on behalf of this fragile ecosystem. I urge you to demand a moratorium on fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean, backed by a trade ban, until the pirate fishing is eliminated. We should oppose the resumption of fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean until it can be demonstrated that the fishery can withstand the impact of commercial fishing and that effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are in place to prevent the return of pirate vessels. Sincerely,
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