TRAIL OF SEABIRD CORPSES MARKS FAILURE AT CCAMLR

31 October 2000

Hobart, October 31, 2000 -- The corpses of seabirds killed as a result of pirate fishing in the Southern Ocean were laid before international delegates today who are failing to protect Antarctica's unique wildlife.

On the second day of meetings of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart, Greenpeace called for an immediate moratorium on commercial fishing for threatened stocks of Antarctic sea bass (Patagonian toothfish).

Delegates from CCAMLR countries who are responsible for protecting these and other threatened species were confronted by activists holding banners reading 'What Will it Take? Moratorium Now!' and dead birds retrieved from the Southern Ocean, as well as several kilometres of fishing line salvaged by Greenpeace during an expedition to the pirate fishing grounds earlier this year.

The birds used in the demonstration are a sample of the 330,000 seabirds hooked and drowned in the Southern Ocean fishery over the last four years, including endangered albatross species. The birds are attracted to baits used in longline fishing for the lucrative toothfish - the preferred method of illegal fishers.

"It's one thing to see the figures - it's another to be faced with the real thing," said Denise Boyd, Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner. "These birds died on illegal longlines, Greenpeace brought them here to force CCAMLR representatives to realise we are talking about real animals, unique creatures that may become extinct if these delegates do not act now."

This year, CCAMLR scientists estimate that pirate catches in the Southern Ocean are at least 30% higher than last year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
For information:
Denise Boyd, Greenpeace Australia, +61 408 754 910 (Hobart) or
Desley Mather, Greenpeace International+61 413 837 135 (Hobart)
Jade Richardson, Media Officer, +61 415 411 719 (Hobart)
Luisa Colasimone, Greenpeace Communications, +31 6 21 29 69 20 (Amsterdam)
Footage and stills are available on request.
Footage: Mim Lowe, +31 6 535 04 721 and stills: John Novis, +31 20 52 49 580
Check also our website at: www.greenpeace.org