Representatives of fishermen claim an “accident”, but activists reject this version.
France is investigating a possible violation of fishing rules after one of the world’s largest fishing vessels threw about 100,000 dead fish into the Atlantic Ocean.
This is reported by AFP.
On Thursday, February 3, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of marine ecosystems, Sea Shepherd, published online images of dead marine inhabitants discarded by the trawler FV Margiris in the Bay of Biscay on the Atlantic coast of France.
Activists described the incident as a “robbery” and called on French Minister of the Sea Annique Girardet to respond to the incident. On Friday, Girardin announced the launch of an administrative investigation and said that “these images are certainly shocking.”
According to the European Association of Pelagic Freezing Trawlers (PFA), representing the owner of Margiris, we are talking about an “accident” and a “very rare phenomenon” caused by the rupture of the trawler network.
At the same time, Sea Shepherd denies this version of events, pointing out that this is far from uncommon and simply an illegal release of more than 100 thousand unwanted fish.
“This vessel is used to such “fishing accidents”. It has already participated in discarding unwanted catches—” said Lamia Essemlali, head of Sea Shepherd France. — In addition, we have already removed other ships that also release thousands of dead fish on their way. So, there are often “accidents” on these ships.
The publication notes that the 6,200-ton and 143-meter Margiris, called a “monster” by the British media, previously caused mass protests in Australia, and subsequently its activities in the country were banned.
