Reel 3 – Guinea, Arrest of The Fu Yuan Yu 379
Fisheries – Hope In West Africa 2017
Greenpeace and Guinean Fishery Authorities CNCP conducting surveillance and inspect illegal fishing
activities in the area.
March 31 – April 5, 2017
NATURAL SOUND
DURATION: 06.18 min
SOURCE: GREENPEACE
ACCESS ALL, NO RESTRICTIONS. ALL MATERIAL GREENPEACE COPYRIGHT.
SUMMARY –
During joint surveillance between Greenpeace and the Guinean fisheries inspection CNSP shark fins
have been discovered on two Chinese fishing vessels. One of the vessels as well as a third vessel
also had illegally altered fishing nets on board. The two vessels with shark fins on board have been
fined with € 250 000 each, while the third vessel has been fined with € 350 000. The catch of all
vessels have been seized by Guinean authorities. Apart from the shark fins, Greenpeace also found
numerous carcasses of sharks including hammerhead sharks, an endangered species, and manta
rays on board several vessels.
The Fu Yuan Yu 379:
The vessel was inspected on April 2nd 2017, inspectors found it had adjusted nets, which is illegal.
Inspectors also uncovered 30 bags of shark carcasses including a huge hammerhead shark. On April
3rd, The Fu Yuan Yu 379 was spotted again fishing outside the area of its licence and having
discarded the bags of sharks that was considered evidence. The vessel will likely face further
sanctions.The vessel is owned by Fujian Pingtan Hengli Fishery Company Ltd. The vessel has been
fined for illegal net adjustments which is categorized under ‘very serious’ infraction of Guinean law.
Current legislation does not penalize sharks being caught as a bycatch.
During the ‘Hope in West Africa’ Tour, Greenpeace is in the West African region with the Esperanza.
The vessel is visiting six countries, all members of the Sub Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), to
advocate for the need for a regional management system to preserve the regions precious fisheries
resources. The vessel is engaged in research, joint surveillance missions with local authorities and
meetings with ministers and officials in the ports that are visited in Cabo Verde, Mauritania, Senegal,
Guinea Bissau, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
SHOTLIST
1. 00:00-00:09 Greenpeace Ocean Campaigner Bolei Liu asking for permission to board.
2. 00.09-00.15 MID - Chinese flag in the bow of the ship.
3. 00.15-00:19 MID – Chinese crew looking while boarding.
4. 00.19-00:27 CNCP inspectors boarding The Fu Yuan Yu 379.
5. 00:27-00:30 CNCP inspectors walking onboard the vessel.
6. 00:30-00:37 WIDE - CNCP inspector controlling the net.
7. 00:37-00:41 MID - CNCP inspector controlling the net.
8. 00:41-00:45 MID - CNCP inspectors telling the captain to come down from the bridge.
9. 00:45-00:50 WIDE – Captain holding the illegal net and being forces to cut it.
10. 00:50-00:57 CUP – Knife being used to cut the net.
11. 00:57-01:04 MID – Captain trying to walk away from the scene. Being told to stay.
12. 01:04-01:12 MID – Knife being used to cut the net.
13. 01:12-01:18 MID - CNCP inspector observing the cutting.
14. 01:18-01:23 MID – Knife being used to cut the net.
15. 01:23-01:28 WIDE – Net being separated and lifted up.
16. 01:28-01:34 WIDE – Chinese crew observing.
17. 01:34-01:42 MID – Net being folded up for confiscation.
18. 01:42-01:48 CUP - Net being folded up for confiscation. Esperanza in the background.
19. 01:48-01:55 MID – Hatch to the freezer being opened for inspection.
20. 01:55-02:01 WIDE – Looking down into the freezer. Carcass of hammerhead shark, and
other shark species.
21. 02:01-02:07 MID - Looking down into the freezer. Carcasses of sharks.
22. 02:07-02-14 WIDE – Greenpeace campaigner and CNCP inspector looking down.
23. 02:14-02:19 MID – Shark carcasses in the freezer.
24. 02:19-02:27 MID – Pile of shark carcasses in the freezer.
25. 02:27-02:35 CUP – Hammerhead shark in the