Thank You, so well written, have passed this article and the series on
1
So what is our own government doing about this here in the U.S. Meanwhile, large U.S. corporations are subverting climate change regulation by buying politicians and pushing pseudoscience on our citizens in an effort to put a human face on their profit protection racquet.
Jane Mayer's new book Dark Money provides all the information one needs to realize that slowing the current mass extinction that is currently underway will require a political and moral revolution. The planet is dying and dying very quickly. This is a great piece, thank you Ian Urbina!
Jane Mayer's new book Dark Money provides all the information one needs to realize that slowing the current mass extinction that is currently underway will require a political and moral revolution. The planet is dying and dying very quickly. This is a great piece, thank you Ian Urbina!
1
Once again I find myself feeling helpless and somewhat culpable in this depletion of our seas. We Americans buy huge freezers to put in the garage then stock it full of food which we then throw half away. That is wasteful and contributing to over buying, which is directly related to over fishing to keep up with the demand of our wasteful consumerism. Big stores decided long ago to stop overbuying and storing goods, which is costly. They now buy 1 shipment and don't order another until the first is gone. We should do the same - only buy what we're going to immediately eat. Stop hoarding. As for shark fins and other "exotic" catch, the answer is simple: use social media to shame chefs, shops and restaurants into ending this species depletion practice. Shame took fur off the runways a long time ago.
1
So much behavior is driven by economic conditions and the fact that we have too many people on their planet, especially if they are dependent on natural resources which are finite. I am thinking of a front page NY Times article a while back where a man with 7 children he couldn't afford to feed used his Gates Foundation mosquito nets to fish for food. While I am 100% supportive of police measures, finding ways to incentivize having less offspring is a direction we need to push more.
1
Exceptionally well researched and presented, thank you.
2
The description of what happens to sharks after their fins have been cut off and the rudderless body is thrown back into the sea where they sink to the bottom to starve and be eaten--all for the profit of a few hundred dollars when the fish generates over a million in tourist dollars over it's live time in value to the Palau economy.
When I thought about it more, this seems a compelling analogy for business practices globally, and especially what is happening to workers. Sinking to the bottom to starve my labor having been effectively stolen from me, over qualified but only low paying jobs available describes my situation perfectly. The irony is not lost on me that while treating me like a lazy moocher, the same also ask me to volunteer and give back to the community what they are unwilling to pay for.
This article is food for thought for the environment, the role of government, and personally. Thank you.
When I thought about it more, this seems a compelling analogy for business practices globally, and especially what is happening to workers. Sinking to the bottom to starve my labor having been effectively stolen from me, over qualified but only low paying jobs available describes my situation perfectly. The irony is not lost on me that while treating me like a lazy moocher, the same also ask me to volunteer and give back to the community what they are unwilling to pay for.
This article is food for thought for the environment, the role of government, and personally. Thank you.
2
thank you Urbina and nyt for this entire series about this widely under-reported, unknown and invisible trade that is going on for decades, underneath proper laws and regulation that can protect the safety and rights of those who work in such degraded and risky conditions as the ships of the sea. Especially in south-east asia, where exploitation of this sort is rampant and human treatment is as adequate as the whims of ship captains and their owners. The first thing is to raise awareness, the harder part is getting governments to pay attention to what is technically beyond their jurisdiction.
1
Thank you Ian and NYT for this insightful series of articles. An important point to add is that we are not powerless. We can act to stimulate the necessary political will by calling on our governments to take a strong stand at the United Nations. There are three key opportunities this year to prevent deliberate ocean impoverishment and abuse of human life: 1) the review of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement in May. Governments could call for a mandatory assessment of how well or how poorly flag states and regional fisheries management organizations are performing; 2) the review of deep sea bottom fishing on the high seas in August. Governments could require the closure of clearly unsustainable fisheries; and 3) a Preparatory Committee over the next two years (starting this March) is to negotiate a new international treaty to protect marine life beyond national boundaries. Governments could require more transparency and accountability from States who fail to comply with international standards for human health and safety and environmental protection, and assist those who wish to improve. We can make a difference.
4
Although I enjoyed reading this fascinating, well written, and extensive article, I didn't enjoy learning how our lovely seas have become so impacted by corruption...on such a huge scale. I have been to Palau, and have had the great pleasure of scuba diving there. It is an amazing place with truly wonderful people. So, I am both proud and saddened by the tremendous effort of the Palauan people to hunt down the poachers. I hope that their success will encourage other nations to follow suit!
3
THANK YOU very much for this great article, and in fact for the entire series on illegal fishing!
This piece shows clearly that the detractors of large marine sanctuaries (eg no-take zones which serve the dual purpose of reversing the decline of biodiversity and promote non-extractive uses such as Diving and Ecotourism) are wrong - these large areas CAN be patrolled effectively and protected by a combination of local law enforcement and top technology, if only large consumer nations such as the US help countries like Palau in safeguarding our shared ocean heritage. As elections approach in the US, will you vote for the candidate who is most concerned with helping our planet? Well, you should.
This piece shows clearly that the detractors of large marine sanctuaries (eg no-take zones which serve the dual purpose of reversing the decline of biodiversity and promote non-extractive uses such as Diving and Ecotourism) are wrong - these large areas CAN be patrolled effectively and protected by a combination of local law enforcement and top technology, if only large consumer nations such as the US help countries like Palau in safeguarding our shared ocean heritage. As elections approach in the US, will you vote for the candidate who is most concerned with helping our planet? Well, you should.
5
Interesting to read this tragic political and economic web out in the middle of the Pacific, with no mention of the legal, sustainable, plentiful fish caught in US waters by locals who have complied with ever-increasing regulations despite the lagging science for decades. Meanwhile, the safest position to take develops as "stop eating fish" because of the length of a spectrum weighed down at one end, while Palau fights to patrol it's borders because of it's vulnerability. It's also interesting to realize that Palau has to sometimes resort to burning these pirating ships to stop them in their tracks -- though ironically the wreckage of these vessels spews diesel fuel all over the reefs they're trying to protect. What else can they do? I guess it's just the lesser of two evils in the hope of discouragement.
1
What a great piece, I was totally unaware of this world.
2
I just really, really want to know how that lucky photojournalist took that breathtaking shot!
That is why I eat freshly caught fish/live fish cut for me from restaurants. There is one in Berkeley & one in India Mumbai near Sassoon Dock or you get many on Goa beaches
will someone clear my doubt that what is called farm fish is not poached but local American fish?
will someone clear my doubt that what is called farm fish is not poached but local American fish?
The take home was this: 1 of 5 fish you eat is poached.
I hate to tell you this, but the oceans are basically finished and the marine life with it. Finished, meaning empty, devoid of life. What is left is in a free-for-all to take by the most criminal and careless elements. When I say criminal, I do mean our own government, our own navy. Sonar by navy, and explosions and so on by explorations for oil drilling harms and kills mammals with sensitive ears. They need those sensitive ears for navigation and mating, so of course a blast equivalent to a jet engine will be their fate --and, yes, Obama opened up the Atlantic coast to that! But most of all, I hold the Chinese responsible for this with their appetite for endangered species and their indifference to the fate of species and the concern of other nations. These fish, this ocean belong to ALL of us, not just one nation or a few rapacious nations. The ocean is truly in terrible shape with species depletion, acidification, huge gyres of plastic. FADs and long line, all destructive fishing methods, need to be BANNED globally. Then massive enforcement needs to happen. This is important. The ocean is the source of life. If we kill the source of life, how can we call ourselves intelligent or moral beings? "In the late 1940s, the annual global catch was roughly 16.5 million tons; now, after decades of innovation, this number is about 94 million tons." This is NOT sustainable!!! Meanwhile, Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd is prosecuted here in USA for his dedication to protecting the oceans!
8
And it is being reported that the Japanese are dumping 400 tons of nuclear waste daily into the Pacific Ocean in violation of International treaties. Millions of sardines have flopped onto the beaches, dead from the radioactivity in the waters. Sea birds that feed on fish are falling from the sky, dying from starvation from lack of fish supply.
Along the California coast, sea otters are also dying of starvation, their food supply dwindled to almost nothing. And here, too, the sea birds are dropping from the sky.
The fishing industry, which has mindlessly decimated their own ocean stores of fish catch, will soon be dying out as well. The radioactivity is not confined only to the Pacific. It has entered the Atlantic Ocean as well through the Bering Sea, Panama Canal, and the southernmost waters.
o sea life is safe from annihilation from the effects of the Japanese dumping of tons of nuclear waste into the ocean waters, and the many other threats to sea life from other sources.
When sea life goes, so goes the entire world. It would appear that life itself on this planet is now coming to an end because of the mindlessly blind, suicidal anti-environmental activities of mankind. Governments are doing little or nothing about this issue, for fear that any activity will cause attention to focus on the issue and destroy the fishing industry and the whole economy which is dependent on it.
Detoxify after consuming fish products from any source.
Along the California coast, sea otters are also dying of starvation, their food supply dwindled to almost nothing. And here, too, the sea birds are dropping from the sky.
The fishing industry, which has mindlessly decimated their own ocean stores of fish catch, will soon be dying out as well. The radioactivity is not confined only to the Pacific. It has entered the Atlantic Ocean as well through the Bering Sea, Panama Canal, and the southernmost waters.
o sea life is safe from annihilation from the effects of the Japanese dumping of tons of nuclear waste into the ocean waters, and the many other threats to sea life from other sources.
When sea life goes, so goes the entire world. It would appear that life itself on this planet is now coming to an end because of the mindlessly blind, suicidal anti-environmental activities of mankind. Governments are doing little or nothing about this issue, for fear that any activity will cause attention to focus on the issue and destroy the fishing industry and the whole economy which is dependent on it.
Detoxify after consuming fish products from any source.
6
Another excellent article by Ian. I find it astonishing the shock people express at story's such as this and the series that Ian wrote on poaching; "The Outlaw Ocean". Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing new to these depredations of the seas, all these facts have been well documented and known for decades. Governments (including the U.S.) have largely ignored or underfunded protecting marine resources. I fully agree (unfortunately) with the observation expressed above, I firmly believe that the oceans are very close to a state of worldwide biological collapse,unless radical measures are initiated immediately. Ban all offshore fishing, and a large majority of near shore fishing. Stop all seafood consumption with the exception of mollusks or fish from (the few, limited) areas where fishing is strictly monitored and controlled. Address Co2 emissions in a serious manner, as ocean acidification appears to be the final nail in the coffin for the world's Seas. If left unmolested and given time to heal, nature does a remarkable job of recovering. Again, I believe (unfortunately) that we are past the point of no return. this is all too little, too, late, the obscenely bloated Human population of this planet and the dependency placed upon the resources of the oceans (as well as the overwhelming pollution) by this absolutely unsustainable and unaddressed 7 billion ton Gorilla in the room makes these desires fantasy...
After reading this, I refuse to spend my tourist dollars in any country that allows consumption of shark fins. Don't care how awesome your beaches are, they are stained with blood!
4
My subscription is worth it just for this series, which has been extraordinary.
5
I have boycotted all sea creature products, and all animal products of any kind, for many years. It's not a big deal to boycott these unnecessary products, and doing so is the only hope to end vast, horrific suffering and environmental devastation.
Start with one day per week (Veggie Mondays!) and eventually add Tuesdays and so forth. Even if you top out at just one or a few days per week, you'll be helping tremendously. It's urgent so start this Monday. Go for it. You can do it!
Start with one day per week (Veggie Mondays!) and eventually add Tuesdays and so forth. Even if you top out at just one or a few days per week, you'll be helping tremendously. It's urgent so start this Monday. Go for it. You can do it!
4
Agreed, also a vegetarian, consider refraining from using the term products...please.
We humans have had a very efficient and massive system of resource exploitation for private benefit for the last several centuries: whales, dodo birds, passenger pigeons, buffalo, rhinos, and so many more. This article is yet another facet of the our tragedy of the commons. Public Trust resources, once protected by kings, are all too frequently left for dead.
I hope that enough people, governments and corporations understand that there's no more when these are depleted or extirpated.
In the meantime, American fish consumers should put the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch recommendations on their mobile devices, and consult it before ordering - and to question sources - at restaurants and markets.
http://www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-recommendations
I hope that enough people, governments and corporations understand that there's no more when these are depleted or extirpated.
In the meantime, American fish consumers should put the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch recommendations on their mobile devices, and consult it before ordering - and to question sources - at restaurants and markets.
http://www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-recommendations
2
Fantastic, in-depth, and illuminating article on such an important subject. Makes me want to know where all of the fish is sourced for my dinner plate.
3
This excellent article leaves me wanting to know: how can I help solve this problem?
It would be great if the article included some ways readers could act on the outrage it has inspired.
And also: I love Palau! I was lucky enough to visit and dive in this magnificently beautiful country in 1998. It remains one of the highlights of my life.
It would be great if the article included some ways readers could act on the outrage it has inspired.
And also: I love Palau! I was lucky enough to visit and dive in this magnificently beautiful country in 1998. It remains one of the highlights of my life.
2
Could these disappearing islands be build up in the fashion that the Chinese have created islands with military grade landing strips out of mere sand bars?
1
Excellent report by an excellent writer. (Future stories on Amtrak: assign Urbina.)
And billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen couldn't help Palau out by donating a boat? Or two?
And billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen couldn't help Palau out by donating a boat? Or two?
3
Excellent piece!
For readers interested in learning more about our overfished oceans and the difficulty of policing them, I recommend two excellent film documentaries as companion pieces to this feature: "End of the Line" and "Shark Water".
The only part of this feature that was both technically and physiologically impossible, is the author's claim that the Sheng Chi Huei 12 passageway he had "just descended" (past the crew "cubbies") leading to the "huge diesel engine, churning furiously" was literally "also the engine's main exhaust pipe." The passage and engine room may have been sweltering hot and stunk of exhaust fumes and whatever else, had it really been the main exhaust pipe, it would have have not only been burning hot and unbearably loud, would have rendered the author -- let alone anyone sleeping in the cubbies -- unconscious, quickly followed by death. You simply cannot clamber through a ship's "a main exhaust pipe" and emerge in an engine room.
For readers interested in learning more about our overfished oceans and the difficulty of policing them, I recommend two excellent film documentaries as companion pieces to this feature: "End of the Line" and "Shark Water".
The only part of this feature that was both technically and physiologically impossible, is the author's claim that the Sheng Chi Huei 12 passageway he had "just descended" (past the crew "cubbies") leading to the "huge diesel engine, churning furiously" was literally "also the engine's main exhaust pipe." The passage and engine room may have been sweltering hot and stunk of exhaust fumes and whatever else, had it really been the main exhaust pipe, it would have have not only been burning hot and unbearably loud, would have rendered the author -- let alone anyone sleeping in the cubbies -- unconscious, quickly followed by death. You simply cannot clamber through a ship's "a main exhaust pipe" and emerge in an engine room.
3
Look carefully at the source label when you buy fish at the grocery store. Much of it comes from China or other Asian countries. When you buy this stuff your not only likely patronizing pirates, but also, as this article alludes to, patronizing people who use slave labor to catch the fish you plan to eat.
1
Solution is simple. People need to stop reproducing. Less mouths to feed equals less destruction of the seas.
4
until the demand for things like shark fin soup disappears, this will continue until there are no more sharks, elephants, rhinos or tigers or any other animals that command such large prices for their "parts." We are consuming our world....
3
Excellent journalism NYTimes. Thank you.
2
How about utilizing the already caught Ivory or Shark Fins and invest the proceeds in a Patrol Boat that can do better than 15 knots? Dumping and burning that catch is like cutting your nose to spite your face. The elephants and sharks are dead already. use this for future conservation and interdiction.
When we speak of greed shouldn't we look ourselves first? I eat seafood once a week sometimes twice. Fishing companies are merely catering to our demand. As human population increases and standard of living increase, we risk abusing the environment more. To avoid this, we not only have to bring world population under control, we also need to have a culture that calms our appetites. Such a a culture exists among certain wisdom traditions and I think they offer an example of the best of human behavior. Culture requires teaching, training, and mutual support, and the avoiding the danger of the tradition turning into an "ism" and something that is forced on others.
2
a good plot for a movie---(are you listening/reading, Robert Redford?) so that people can know how these greedy corporations are destroying our ocean life.
5
Greedy corporations? Must you always go "there"? Because the phrase is now officially meaningless.
This is just silly. People are destroying our ocean life, some for food, some for ignorant folklore. For one thing, the pirates are mostly Chinese.
This is just silly. People are destroying our ocean life, some for food, some for ignorant folklore. For one thing, the pirates are mostly Chinese.
1
If it's incredibly hard to even catch poachers off the coasts of Palau, how could we think of patrolling the S. China Sea to keep its sea lanes open for marine traffic from all countries?
2
why you partol the s. china sea.?
The more fish, the merrier!
Under International Law, Palau can sink pirate vessels on sight. That's what they should do.
10
heartily agree - if they can get a gunboat, missile boat or a torpedo boat.
I wonder why one or 2 weren't donated yet? enough decommissioned patrol boats out there between the US, Britain, France and Russia
I wonder why one or 2 weren't donated yet? enough decommissioned patrol boats out there between the US, Britain, France and Russia
To sink a pirate vessel, you have to catch up with them first. As the article has rightly pointed out, it's only until fairly recently that Palau has been able to solicit international coordination and resources to help them achieve that.
1
According to the Compact of Free Association, which granted Palau its independence, the United States is responsible for the military defense of Palau. The US needs to deploy its Coast Guard to stop poaching in Palau waters, especially poaching by the Red Chinese who are so sanctimonious about their right to the South China Sea.
10
In January 2016 not a single pound of sardines, squid, anchovies, mackerel or any other kind of pelagic fish landed in California. And its not just the El Nino. Before the NYTimes goes running off to save the world from poachers maybe it should try to the save the world from the US use of the oceans as a garbage can. In the end the law of the sea is the law of the land and the land lovers are turning it into a garbage heap devoid of life.
12
These articles are the NYTimes finest. Please keep it up, and thank you.
25
Reminds me of the movie Happy Feet
Oh great, NOW what do I do, trying to eat less meat or chicken and eat more fish for my health. Guess I should just go vegan and save my conscience.
6
Whatever you do, get fish out of your diet. Sure, it's healthy, but just for you...very unhealthy for the planet as a whole. And any benefits of eating fish can be gotten from other foods.
3
Eating the bivalves--mussels and clams--is not destructive (I understand). I do not eat any fish but once in a while some clams or mussels. Especially bad is eating the large fish like salmon, tuna, etc. Go vegan!
1
What's so bad about going vegan anyways.
1
As an aside: I see Skytruth is located in West Virginia. The same state where the erroneous VW emissions results were unmasked - and the same state that did the testing for Flint Michigan water. I feel as if West Virginia has been in the news a lot for all the right reasons. I think the NY Times may need to do a story about what is going on in West Virginia.
18
You are confusing West Virginia with Virginia regarding Flint. The folks that blew open the water problems in Flint were with Virginia Tech.
Seafood is an unnecessary luxury in wealthy nations. Refraining from consuming would cut off demand, which is the easiest way to deal with this problem.
5
Aiiieee. But I'm thinking you're right.
1
All coastal people & people from bamks of rivers like Ganges Narmada rivers eat fish which is cheap because it is caught by local fishermen opr by people themselves using through nets or good old hook they go morning/midnight get back by next day eat/sell whatever is caught.That is way to eat fish
Truth be told, it's not just seafood. Think along the line of a pound of rare steak and how much resources go into caring and feeding the animal before it eventually lands on your dinner plate.
1
"In the span of one human lifetime, humankind has become brutally adept at plundering the seas."
And for what? To make a wealthy few yet more. Plunder, loot, and leave.
So tragic. When are we ever going to pull back from relying on magic thinking, heroes, and "somebody else", anybody else, to stop this rape of our hospitable planet?
And for what? To make a wealthy few yet more. Plunder, loot, and leave.
So tragic. When are we ever going to pull back from relying on magic thinking, heroes, and "somebody else", anybody else, to stop this rape of our hospitable planet?
12
At the root of this are too many people on this planet. We have overshot the capacity of the earth to sustain us: fish, land, freshwater, biodiversity.
It's not just the "wealthy," if you're trying to inject some class warfare in the discussions. These days, seafood has become so cheap (compared to bygone era) that far more people have been able to consume more and frequently too. Consumers have also demanded their food in ever cheaper price, and these poachers and corporations are simply catering to our appetite. If we are do introspection, each of us would have to start with ourselves, our habits and appetite.
1
WE are the problem. The Market is driving demand. As the story states " one in every five fish on American plates is caught illegally." In many ways this piece is tied to the NY iImes story from a few days ago: "U.S. Closing a Loophole on Products Tied to Slaves" (the product is seafood). It is not just Palau, or Oceanic life that is suffering from our desire for seafood - but there is a tremendous cost to human life too. Seafood is starting to look like a very unhealthy choice for the entire planet.
18
I'm totally with you.
Ultimately each of us consumers need to make more conscientious and responsible choices. We can't be condemning poachers on the one hand, when we're the ones who are buying up all they can drag up from the sea on the other. It's simply hypocritical, to say the least.
Ultimately each of us consumers need to make more conscientious and responsible choices. We can't be condemning poachers on the one hand, when we're the ones who are buying up all they can drag up from the sea on the other. It's simply hypocritical, to say the least.
1
Why can't the interested countries with navies assist in patrols for and pursuit of these poachers?
4
"Interested countries," that's such a loaded term. Who's paying for it afterall? These days, everyone's budget is stretched, and no politician wants to be caught red-handed dedicating resources to some faraway land patrolling someone's territorial waters when their taxpayers at home are asked to pay more taxes to pay for it. Sad, but true.
1
"The global black market for seafood is worth more than $20 billion, and one in every five fish on American plates is caught illegally."
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Good cause to call for required surveillance throughout the market chain. Hopefully those who can afford to eat this protein source would not object. They tend to be good readers, know what's afoot - if not always deeply concerned about environmental stewardship if their investments are at stake.
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Good cause to call for required surveillance throughout the market chain. Hopefully those who can afford to eat this protein source would not object. They tend to be good readers, know what's afoot - if not always deeply concerned about environmental stewardship if their investments are at stake.
5
"equivalent in weight of the entire human population at the turn of the 20th century, removed from the sea each and every year"
Perhaps we should feed ourselves to the fish and return earth to its natural order.
Perhaps we should feed ourselves to the fish and return earth to its natural order.
14
Go Palau!!!
7
I have had the great pleasure and honor to have spent a good amount of time diving the waters of Palau for the past 25 years. The decrease of marine life is very apparent.
The Palaun president Tommy Remengesau is an honorable man who is doing everything possible to change the course of his island nation but it is indeed an up stream battle. I had the pleasure of communicating with him to resolve an issue during one of my dive trips and he was extremely helpful and the consummate professional.
Until the Chinese and Indonesian governments assist in prosecuting the fishing companies that are the real criminals behind the raping of the oceans I am afraid that the potential to stopping this is slim at best.
The Palaun president Tommy Remengesau is an honorable man who is doing everything possible to change the course of his island nation but it is indeed an up stream battle. I had the pleasure of communicating with him to resolve an issue during one of my dive trips and he was extremely helpful and the consummate professional.
Until the Chinese and Indonesian governments assist in prosecuting the fishing companies that are the real criminals behind the raping of the oceans I am afraid that the potential to stopping this is slim at best.
19
The Chinese care only about themselves and their new money.
7
What goes up, must come down...in this case into a world destroyed by their greed and shortsightedness.
1
Perhaps Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherd organizations would do better to focus on these poachers than their singular focus on whales. Both are important issues, but this likely has a much larger impact on the overall ocean and fisheries than Japan's whale obsession.
2
It's not the poachers it's the CORPORATIONS that is the problem
4
Are you kidding? Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd do not have a 'singular' focus on whales, but it is one focus for sure. For example, they are now involved in trying to save the smallest dolphin, lives in Mexico, called the vaquita, as well as stopping the slaughter of dolphins in Japan and Faroe Islands, etc etc etc. They do much more than focus on only whales.
1
We have that problem in the Southern Ocean and around New Zealand, as well, with foreign fishing vessels. It is more common than you think! There's big money and big risks in fishing the Southern Ocean because of all the rare species of fish that fetch big dollars.
29
We administered Palau for five decades and have excellent diplomatic relations with them. Seems like they would be the perfect recipients for two or three of the dozens and dozens of perfectly good P-3 Orion long range maritime patrol aircraft that we just got done parking in mothballs in the desert in Arizona because we've bought a new generation of higher tech submarine hunters. There's no reason Palau should be doing this effort on behalf of a grateful planet from just a Cessna with a fuel tank the size of mini-van and we are never going to use the P-3s for anything else.
15
This is the kind of investigative journalism that makes me proud to be a New York Times subscriber. We need to support the organizations not only policing illegal fishing, but legal fishing as well. The latter being - as the author notes in his conclusion - the most important if you look at the numbers.
7
These illegal fishing ships escape and travel through international waters so no government is willing to pursue them. This is why support of Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace is vital and why boycotting Chinese goods is necessary. China is responsible for the bulk of poaching in the world and of importation of illegal animal parts such as Rhino and elephant tusks, bear, tiger, shark. Demand Costco sell fish from sustainable and ethical fishing practices and buy only sustainable sea food. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/food-and-our-planet/suzukis-t...
2
Seems like Palau should take a lesson from China and beef up that southern atoll with some piles of sand to avoid losing 54,000 square miles of territorial authority.
4
Very well-written. A harrowing description of human and environmental tragedy.
8
True heros of the new age. We need more cooperation like this.
Thinking cynically, the main problem is that in most of these resource-rich places, their governments or police are bought off, so such efforts are thwarted. Look what is happening to rain forests in Indonesia and Brazil.
Thinking cynically, the main problem is that in most of these resource-rich places, their governments or police are bought off, so such efforts are thwarted. Look what is happening to rain forests in Indonesia and Brazil.
4
Perhaps we ought to direct a significant proportion our vast naval capabilities and technologies to preserving the world's fisheries. Low cost patrol ships, drones and observation technologies, as well as, funding ought to provide lesser endowed countries with the ability to stem this massive tragedy of the ocean commons.
I commend the privateer idea as well.
I commend the privateer idea as well.
1
Isn't it shocking that we humans who live in merely 1/3 the surface area of this planet can cause such grievous denudation of resources?
Human achievement has been about "taming" natural obstacles. Tools for hunting or fishing. Machines to make life more comfortable.
When will the human race "tame" itself by curtailing population growth and adopting a sustainable way of life?
It appears that this will never happen thanks to narrow national interests, politics, religions you name it. Hopefully we come to our senses and act for our own survival lest Malthusian premonitions come to bear.
Human achievement has been about "taming" natural obstacles. Tools for hunting or fishing. Machines to make life more comfortable.
When will the human race "tame" itself by curtailing population growth and adopting a sustainable way of life?
It appears that this will never happen thanks to narrow national interests, politics, religions you name it. Hopefully we come to our senses and act for our own survival lest Malthusian premonitions come to bear.
4
Simple solution: torpedo the miscreants. And BTW include the Japanese "RESEARCH" illegal whale harpooners.
7
And what about Norway? Don't they do "research" on whales also?
Thank you for this enlightening article - one more to love the Times.
It strikes me that someone could come up with a computer game, the goal of which is to spot illegal fishing vessels in offshore waters like Palau, with the objective of assisting in the capture and prosecution of these criminals.
A computer game would be akin to crowdsourcing a group of environmentalists. Indeed there may be other environmental or humanitarian causes, which could be aided by such crowdsourcing, utilizing computer games.
Many thanks are due to those already taking part in this vital undertaking.
It strikes me that someone could come up with a computer game, the goal of which is to spot illegal fishing vessels in offshore waters like Palau, with the objective of assisting in the capture and prosecution of these criminals.
A computer game would be akin to crowdsourcing a group of environmentalists. Indeed there may be other environmental or humanitarian causes, which could be aided by such crowdsourcing, utilizing computer games.
Many thanks are due to those already taking part in this vital undertaking.
14
Though the focus of this article in on illegal fishing, as it points out legally caught seafood is the primary reason that approximately 90% of sea life is under stress. Even if we trying to consume only "responsibly sourced" food that won't solve the problem. Consumers should east less or ideally no sea food. If there is no market then there wouldn't be a problem.
5
I am guilty. I love sushi. I'm not alone on this page. We consumers need to take a hard look in the mirror. The human by-catch never entered my mind; and is not easy to dismiss. Will do my best to seek local and sustainable fare (a nice perk to being a Gulf Coast resident)
3
Having been to Palau in 2001, I would hate to see such an amazing place destroyed by greed (even the beautiful pix in this article don't do it justice!). I'm a diver, not an activist, but when I visit places like Palau and Roatan, Honduras, I see what damage huge corporations interested in their bottom line can do to the people and the ecosystem, and I've been driven to action. I do not eat at restaurant chains that pay local divers a quarter per lobster, leaving them to dive for 8-10 hours per day, blowing out their spinal columns with the bends when someone didn't drop them another tank of air. Or ones that build freezer packing plants so that they can continue to catch illegally, but store it until they're legal again and ship the product back to the U.S.
But those are "legal" operations. That doesn't even take into account these truly illegal poaching activities.
If you're a diver like me and travel to exotic locations, visit the Chamber and see the locals impacted by this trade. Talk to the locals and find out who is fishing there and how they work within regulations. They'll always tell you what the real story is. And be wary of chain restaurants, especially those focusing on seafood, as they practice only as much caution and care as the law requires, and only barely that.
But those are "legal" operations. That doesn't even take into account these truly illegal poaching activities.
If you're a diver like me and travel to exotic locations, visit the Chamber and see the locals impacted by this trade. Talk to the locals and find out who is fishing there and how they work within regulations. They'll always tell you what the real story is. And be wary of chain restaurants, especially those focusing on seafood, as they practice only as much caution and care as the law requires, and only barely that.
9
"Huge corporations"? Do you know who these people are? If so, name them. Otherwise, this is a meaningless word that certainly interferes with a clear analytical approach to solving problems. This is--sadly--the SJW's equivalent of Communists hiding under every bed.
1
This is certainly a wakeup call to those who eat seafood, which is everyone. Palau's leadership has demonstrated that small Davids can take on a Goliath task through getting by with a little help from friends like Mr. Borgman and SkyTruth, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Australian Navy. It is not only this alliance of aid that impressed me, but Palau's good sense to use and trust it.
It's no secret we live in a brave new world of technology, but this allied front has demonstrated that good guys can win by using it. Let Palau be a lesson to so many states and entities that try to go it alone.
It's no secret we live in a brave new world of technology, but this allied front has demonstrated that good guys can win by using it. Let Palau be a lesson to so many states and entities that try to go it alone.
26
"may help the rest of the world save all of the oceans."
Or not.
Or not.
Save our oceans and the fish that sustain us! That should be the mantra of the wealthy people in this country who want to give back. Help Palau and you help us all. What a great piece of reporting!
17
now this is a country that we should help, give them money to buy bigger and faster boats for patrolling they are protecting food that the world needs.
16
Bigger and faster boats are not necessary. A few helicopter gunships or even armed drones would be more than sufficient to destroy these pirate ships.
2
You're quite right to call this a form of piracy. The punishment should also be commensurate. The crews of these ships are not slaves, they're knowing participants. Given the broader scope of the harm they cause what really needed in an international naval force empowered to intervene and stop these "pirates". If we can afford trillions in useless wars, we ought to be able to devote a few billion to help stop the destruction of our oceans.
10
Could it be that the officers are willing participants and the crew are low paid slaves?
1
Thank you. Another account of criminal activity to our seas. Vigilance paid off, and I can only pray it continues to help end to this horrific industry.
14
Slaughter on land, slaughter at sea. What's new? The balance of evil never changes. Destroying the planet has been human being's mission since the beginning of time. Civilization and its progress toward the death of the earth continues in one guise after another. Life is mercifully short.
3
I say award the Nobel Peace Prize to Palau. That would provide the government with support money and shame China and other such pirates. Kyotocat
34
James,
Agreed that the Chinese constitute the worst offenders.
That doesn't make us exactly clean.
Obama's Franken-Fish, chemical dispersants in the Gulf (bp), farm run-off,
sea-raised salmon fed 6 times their protein value, carbon emissions, et al..
We must do far more.
Agreed that the Chinese constitute the worst offenders.
That doesn't make us exactly clean.
Obama's Franken-Fish, chemical dispersants in the Gulf (bp), farm run-off,
sea-raised salmon fed 6 times their protein value, carbon emissions, et al..
We must do far more.
4
The Colonel asks all the prominent nations of the world to follow most closely the pattern of defense being used here and how it is turning out to be effective against China particularly. -The Colonel
2
if global warming might indeed spell th end of humanity, i would like to hear a cogent argument against it
ive been waiting 50 years and so far nothing
ive been waiting 50 years and so far nothing
3
This article wasn't really about global warming but nice try.
3
Thank you for bringing this (our global fisheries) to the forefront.
If we were to enact strong, international protections for marine stocks there could be enough modest amounts of seafood for everyone.
Warming waters and the Sixth Mass Extinction gives real urgency to the situation.
Our continuing neglect is far more dangerous than ISIS.
If we were to enact strong, international protections for marine stocks there could be enough modest amounts of seafood for everyone.
Warming waters and the Sixth Mass Extinction gives real urgency to the situation.
Our continuing neglect is far more dangerous than ISIS.
28
This is the article that has inspired me to subscribe to the NYT. A great piece of journalism, even if reading it did darken my soul. I want to forward it to every literate human being with a conscience of any size.
49
"Deckhands usually cut off the fins, which can sell for 100 times the cost of the rest of the meat. They then throw the rest of the shark back into the water. It’s a slow death: The sharks sink to the sea floor, where they starve, drown or are eaten by other fish."
One can only hope that somewhere in the future of these individuals, lies a judgement for them that not only mirrors the trauma that they laid out to these poor creatures, but amplifies it forever. I believe it's waiting for them........
One can only hope that somewhere in the future of these individuals, lies a judgement for them that not only mirrors the trauma that they laid out to these poor creatures, but amplifies it forever. I believe it's waiting for them........
9
There really ought to be more of a media campaign in China to promote awareness on the cruelty of shark fin. If they were illegal for sale, would it help matters?
15
Factory farming to feed the Western insistence on cheap meat/dairy creates untold suffering for billions of animals.
We in the West are in no position to moralize about powerless deckhands on a third world fishing vessel.
We in the West are in no position to moralize about powerless deckhands on a third world fishing vessel.
Illegal fishing is unacceptable in my opinion specially if they are killing fish populations that are useless to them, in crowd fishing, or catching sharks for their fins and throwing them back in the water to die. One my problem though is that I do not live there to know exactly how things work there. What one has to realize is that if we get rid of these pirates we protect our oceans, but we make a family go hungry. It is a complicated situation. Someone needs to come up with a system the awards enough money to fishers, so that they don't go out looking for a way to survive. They do not fish illegally because they want to get rich, they do it because they need to feed their families. I know maybe that is not an excuse, but who are we to judge without knowing these people's culture and economic difficulties. It really is a complicated situation for the world.
1
We could make artificial contraception available to everyone who wants it.
2
Wow, so from the intro blurb it would seem that extensive use of technology isn't really the problem. It turns out that a "computer whiz" will (ahem, "might") save us. Think twice about what you read in the corporate press, my fellow citizens.
I am a devoted scuba diver and the majesty and beauty of coral reefs and the beautiful fish that inhabit them is astounding.
The poor devils that have to work on these fish pirate ships are to be pitied but the people that own and profit from them are another story.
Sink these pirates on the spot and let their "ship" become an artificial reef and send the crew back to their home. It is doubtful any of the crew have an ownership position.
Have not dove Palau but it is on my list!
The poor devils that have to work on these fish pirate ships are to be pitied but the people that own and profit from them are another story.
Sink these pirates on the spot and let their "ship" become an artificial reef and send the crew back to their home. It is doubtful any of the crew have an ownership position.
Have not dove Palau but it is on my list!
38
Incredible piece of journalism and a tiny beacon of hope in a subject matter that is usually unrelentingly bleak. Also unbelievable that Palau has been forced to resort to crowdfunding to support its conservation measures.
36
My understanding is that the International Laws of the Sea have never been amended to rescind the historically well established right of sovereign nations to issue Letters Of Marque.
At the very least - having independent privateers, with actual Letters of Marque from Palau, seize illegal vessels and sell them - would bring a huge amount of world attention to the problem.
Hollywood loves privateers. In all seriousness; bring them back. There are no barriers to this action - and every little bit will help.
At the very least - having independent privateers, with actual Letters of Marque from Palau, seize illegal vessels and sell them - would bring a huge amount of world attention to the problem.
Hollywood loves privateers. In all seriousness; bring them back. There are no barriers to this action - and every little bit will help.
47
More work for Executive Outcome or Blackwater (or whatever they are called these days)?
Hiring mercenaries to solve your problems always has dangerous possibilities. Suppose it's easier (hence more profitable) to just seize legal vessels under false accusations than to actually chase down lawbreakers? Will your for-profit law enforcement still be interested in enforcing the law?
Hiring mercenaries to solve your problems always has dangerous possibilities. Suppose it's easier (hence more profitable) to just seize legal vessels under false accusations than to actually chase down lawbreakers? Will your for-profit law enforcement still be interested in enforcing the law?
Tell me; do you have evidence that "non-profit" law agencies are incorruptible and uninterested in money? The issuing of Letters of Marque has always been accompanied by problems - but so have all forms of law enforcement; ergo the axiom "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" - dated around 100 CE; with relevant discussions far further back. My preferred translation: "Who will protect us from our protectors?"
2
"How they protect themselves may help the rest of the world save all of the oceans."
TOO LATE !!!!
TOO LATE !!!!
2
Someone more savvy than am I, should start a crowdsourcing project to buy these enforcement folk more appropriate ships. I think it would strike a chord with lots of readers.
24
The most significant part of this article are the conclusions in the last paragraph. It's not the fishermen who are to blame but the economic system that sends them out in unsafe conditions to exploit resources to the point of depletion. Our economic systems must evolve in a way that takes the larger ecological systems into account and creates long term sustainability.
The alternative is ecological instability that leads to political and cultural instability, then to chaos and humans dying on a massive scale.
Time to stop business as usual and get VERY creative.
The alternative is ecological instability that leads to political and cultural instability, then to chaos and humans dying on a massive scale.
Time to stop business as usual and get VERY creative.
72
and there it is, 8 lines is all it took to figure out we, as a civilization, are running full steam to a wall with global scale disasters as a result. Capitalism has become so good it is helping wipe out every resource the planet. The 'cure' has become the disease. Time will tell how long is the planet willing to take it before it fights back.
12
I don't think it will be a matter of when earth fights back, more like we use up all the available resources... Nature dies, we go with it.
6
Every time I see a big floor stack of tuna at Costco I can't help but wonder where the fish in those cans came from. Frankly, with the billions of humans crawling around this planet, I don't see a lot of hope for the sea and its fishery. We're already eating out "seed corn" for many species of fish and shellfish.
The Chinese and Southeast Asian governments need to educate their own people on the destruction their cultural practices are doing to the sea, as well as to African (and even North American) wildlife, as well as enforce laws against the poaching trade.
It breaks my heart to read pieces like this.
The Chinese and Southeast Asian governments need to educate their own people on the destruction their cultural practices are doing to the sea, as well as to African (and even North American) wildlife, as well as enforce laws against the poaching trade.
It breaks my heart to read pieces like this.
85
Call COSTCO HQ and tell them you don't want to contribute to this. Tell them you want country of origin labelling even though it is no longer a government mandate.
26
That's why I don't buy it.
I read in this publication that soon there could be more plastic in our oceans than fish. It's a depressing concept. I agree with Snake Pliskin that our coast guard could help Palau, and perhaps should. My highest hopes that this nation will be able to show its might in this most important fight.
7
Not "could, perhaps should" but definitely "should"!
1
What a terrifying picture that ship is!
2
Brilliant journalism indeed!
If this is indeed a model let's be sure it is replicated. For a pittance the US could reinforce the Palauan effort with aircraft and vessels in sufficient numbers to raise the risk of poaching to a threshold that would discourage this criminal element. Also, the right of hot pursuit is well established in international law and could negate the problem of escaping across international boarders--especially with the knowledge and acquiescence of Indonesia and other signatories to treaties governing the exploitation of the ocean's resources.
Go Palau! ...now where is the US?!
If this is indeed a model let's be sure it is replicated. For a pittance the US could reinforce the Palauan effort with aircraft and vessels in sufficient numbers to raise the risk of poaching to a threshold that would discourage this criminal element. Also, the right of hot pursuit is well established in international law and could negate the problem of escaping across international boarders--especially with the knowledge and acquiescence of Indonesia and other signatories to treaties governing the exploitation of the ocean's resources.
Go Palau! ...now where is the US?!
67
This is macrocosmic Tragedy of the Commons: corporations driven solely by profit, enabled by devastating technology, harvesting areas either owned by the world at large (high seas) or unable to be satisfactorily policed by the respective nation.
There is no viable solution, because it would take an international government to create incredibly restrictive fishing regulations and then incredibly expensive police forces to enforce those regulations.
This distinguishes the seas from other common areas -- except air, our Earth's other fluid medium. Other common areas or resources -- such as forests -- generally lie within one country, permitting both regulation and some degree of enforcement.
There is no viable solution, because it would take an international government to create incredibly restrictive fishing regulations and then incredibly expensive police forces to enforce those regulations.
This distinguishes the seas from other common areas -- except air, our Earth's other fluid medium. Other common areas or resources -- such as forests -- generally lie within one country, permitting both regulation and some degree of enforcement.
13
Another in the great reporting tradition of the Times!
Your resources and reach are greater than those of papers at littoral cities of the Pacific.
A combination of public and private effort is needed to bring this poaching to heel.
Your resources and reach are greater than those of papers at littoral cities of the Pacific.
A combination of public and private effort is needed to bring this poaching to heel.
28
Good for them! You go, Palau.
19
They should be sinking the captured fishing boats for a reef.
16
Brilliant piece of journalism!
49
Another great article that reflects superb reporting.
Can't help but wonder why the USA doesn't donate several fast, well-built enforcement boats & training to these people: now THAT is foreign aid that would actually have a positive impact for the planet, the creatures & the humans. At a fraction of what these insane wars & bags full of money being paid to warlords are getting anyone, which is nothing at all.
Maybe Paul Allen or some of the other wealthy folks who enjoy the beauty of the region might care to step up & make a real impact by donating the materials needed in this desperate race to save our planet.
Can't help but wonder why the USA doesn't donate several fast, well-built enforcement boats & training to these people: now THAT is foreign aid that would actually have a positive impact for the planet, the creatures & the humans. At a fraction of what these insane wars & bags full of money being paid to warlords are getting anyone, which is nothing at all.
Maybe Paul Allen or some of the other wealthy folks who enjoy the beauty of the region might care to step up & make a real impact by donating the materials needed in this desperate race to save our planet.
140
I like the sentiment but a few well built enforcement boats wont cut it. The pacific ocean is approaching 20x the size of the USA (including Alaska). It would take more than a few boats to cover that area.
The boat's owners are regular companies though, from Taiwan, Korea even Spain. Surely the US government could find the source of such huge amounts of our food.
The boat's owners are regular companies though, from Taiwan, Korea even Spain. Surely the US government could find the source of such huge amounts of our food.
3
I totally agree. Wouldn't it be great if the US military devoted some of its time and equipment to protecting the planet? Not only would it have a positive impact on the earth, but it would also be positive for the image of America (which could use it).
2
Every time I see an article about poaching and the trouble in protecting certain species from it, the problem seems to be the growing market in China for a certain animal part that requires the animal to be killed. Poachers indiscriminately slaughter sharks for their fins, elephants for their tusks, rhinos for their horns and tigers for their bones to satisfy Chinese demand. I cannot get the image I saw on TV of a rhino, its horn chopped off and left to suffer as it bled to death. It just makes me sick. China has to act to stop this illegal black market.
As for illegal fishing, the market is worldwide with populations growing and demand for fish accelerating. The only hope is an aggressive enforcement model like Palau's. Kudos to them.
As for illegal fishing, the market is worldwide with populations growing and demand for fish accelerating. The only hope is an aggressive enforcement model like Palau's. Kudos to them.
109
China will never undertake any serious steps to stop the extremely cruel mutilation of animals you describe in your comment. Some of the animal parts you cite have been used in Chinese "medicine" for centuries. Others are symbols of wealth or the Chinese equivalent of Viagra. The downturn in the Chinese economy is the only thing that will scale back these disgusting practices.
26
Hopefully education will stop these practices. There are a lot of youth in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan that are against these cruel practices.
5
Say what you want about China; but we have our problems as well. Take, for example, the incredibly inefficient, ocean-destroying market for toothfish, which erupted once they were branded "Chilean Sea Bass" and popularized here in the USA.
Plenty of culpability and blame to go around.
Plenty of culpability and blame to go around.
1
One if five fish in America are illegally caught? I knew it was a problem but I never expected it to affect me so much. Given that most fish caught in the USA are probably OK that means I guess half of the rest is caught by pirates like this. www.seafoodwatch.org is a good place to start, but how can I tell which shops to trust?
27
You can't tell. We would have to rely on controls that TPP would potentially dismantle. As it is, labeling of food country of origin is no longer mandated. it is clearly a co tried situation meant to exploit the weak and powerless to increase the fortunes of multi-national corporations and foreign interests. and when that says weak and powerless that means US - the so-called 99%.
8
Most of the fish Americans eat are pollock. That's a very non-nutricious fish caught at the donut hole, a spot in internt'l waters between Alaska and Russia. It's not very tasty either, but it's cheap.
When I look at fish these days I see undersized billfish and tuna (other than pollock, that is) caught off Indonesia and Vietnam, or places like Palau. The practices are non-sustainable but what fishing is sustainable when Climate Change is now so much of a factor? There isn't any sustainable fishery.
But there is aquaculture. I don't like and I don't eat tilapia or catfish but there are some producers who do it well and in places where mangrove swamps were once wiped-out by shrimp aquaculture there are people who learned how to do it without wrecking the place. Catfish from the Southern US isn't wrecking the country although tiger prawns and other invasive plus poor practices are problems there. One company has rights to all the menhaden so they're just screwing everyone.
Shellfish aquaculture isn't as bad as fishing although I learned this year that some in Washington State use pesticides on ghost shrimp in their oyster beds when they could use other techniques to grow oysters without pesticides. Pressure them by boycotting their product until this is stopped.
California abalone was once a prized shellfish that was poorly managed by the Republican-controlled governors for 3 decades. Only republicans got to grow it when disease was introduced. Abalone is almost gone now.
When I look at fish these days I see undersized billfish and tuna (other than pollock, that is) caught off Indonesia and Vietnam, or places like Palau. The practices are non-sustainable but what fishing is sustainable when Climate Change is now so much of a factor? There isn't any sustainable fishery.
But there is aquaculture. I don't like and I don't eat tilapia or catfish but there are some producers who do it well and in places where mangrove swamps were once wiped-out by shrimp aquaculture there are people who learned how to do it without wrecking the place. Catfish from the Southern US isn't wrecking the country although tiger prawns and other invasive plus poor practices are problems there. One company has rights to all the menhaden so they're just screwing everyone.
Shellfish aquaculture isn't as bad as fishing although I learned this year that some in Washington State use pesticides on ghost shrimp in their oyster beds when they could use other techniques to grow oysters without pesticides. Pressure them by boycotting their product until this is stopped.
California abalone was once a prized shellfish that was poorly managed by the Republican-controlled governors for 3 decades. Only republicans got to grow it when disease was introduced. Abalone is almost gone now.
1