Since 2016, Sea Shepherd Global has worked alongside authorities in eight African nations—Gabon, Liberia, São Tomé & Príncipe, Tanzania, The Gambia, Benin, Sierra Leone, and Namibia—as well as in Tuvalu in the South Pacific. By providing patrol vessels, intelligence, and operational support, Sea Shepherd Global has helped governments enforce their fisheries laws, stop illegal operators, and safeguard marine biodiversity.

Each of these 100 arrests, made by local authorities with Sea Shepherd Global’s assistance, represents a victory for marine conservation, ensuring that critical ecosystems are protected, fish stocks are restored, and local communities can continue their traditional livelihoods.

HOW SEA SHEPHERD COMBATS ILLEGAL FISHING

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing undermines every effort to protect the ocean, particularly in biodiversity hotspots that are rich in unique and diverse marine life. Direct action is essential. That’s why Sea Shepherd Global’s strategy focuses on helping governments enforce existing laws, ensuring that illegal fishing vessels can no longer exploit gaps in enforcement.

Many of the countries we work with lack the resources—such as patrol vessels, fuel, and trained personnel—to effectively monitor their waters. Local fishing communities frequently report illegal activities, but without a way to reach these remote areas, authorities have struggled to act.

Sea Shepherd Global fills this enforcement gap by:

     - Providing ships and trained crew to assist governments in patrolling their waters.
     - Hosting local law enforcement on board to ensure fisheries laws are enforced.
     - Gathering intelligence and identifying illegal activity in real-time.
     - Assisting with boardings and inspections, ensuring officers have the evidence they need to take legal action.
     - Supporting legal reforms to increase penalties for illegal fishing.

This direct-action approach has proven highly effective, leading to significant declines in illegal fishing activity in multiple partner countries.

SEA SHEPHERD'S PROVEN TRACK RECORD

From assisting with first-ever arrests to driving long-term policy changes, Sea Shepherd Global’s work has led to major victories in the fight against illegal fishing. Here are just a few examples:

     > Liberia: A Half Million Sharks Saved 

When the Labiko 2 was boarded by the Liberian Coast Guard in 2017, assisted by Sea Shepherd, authorities discovered an illegal shark liver oil production facility. The vessel had been using prohibited deep-water gillnets to target sharks, killing an estimated 500,000 per year. The arrest exposed a largely unregulated industry that had already decimated shark populations in the North East Atlantic and was now threatening West Africa’s marine ecosystems. Read more about it here.

     > Benin: From First Arrests to Lasting Deterrence

The arrest of four trawlers in Benin's marine park in 2019 marked the country's first fisheries enforcement effort at sea since independence. This watershed moment led to strengthened legislation, with fines increasing from $50,000 to over $1,000,000. A subsequent case saw two vessels fined $250,000 each, with captains imprisoned and vessels seized. The result: illegal fishing in Benin's waters has effectively ceased. Read more.

     > Gabon: A Minister Witnesses the Crisis Firsthand

In 2021, the Gabonese Minister of Fisheries joined a Sea Shepherd-assisted patrol to witness the impact of industrial fishing firsthand. During the boarding of a shrimp trawler, officials discovered a catch ratio of 0.2% shrimp to 99.8% bycatch, with vast amounts of dead marine life discarded. Shocked by the waste, the Minister suspended Gabon’s shrimp fishery, to allow the ecosystem time to recover. More on this story here.

     > The Gambia: Defending the Small-Scale Fisher

In a nation where 200,000 people rely on artisanal fishing, our work helped enforce The Gambia's Special Management Area, a crucial 12-nautical-mile zone reserved for local fishers. Recent operations led to the arrest of nine trawlers, including seven violating this protected zone. A notable case involved the Italian trawler "Twenty," caught using illegal nets while allegedly supplying 'sustainable' shrimp to European markets. Read more here.

100 ARRESTS: A MILESTONE, NOT THE FINISH LINE

Reaching 100 arrests with our government partners is not the end of the fight—it’s proof that determined enforcement makes a difference.

Illegal fishing fleets are becoming more sophisticated, expanding their operations into unregulated waters and targeting vulnerable nations with limited enforcement capacity. As long as industrial fleets continue to exploit the ocean, Sea Shepherd Global will continue to stand alongside governments, providing the resources and support needed to hold illegal operators accountable.

Through direct-action campaigns, strategic partnerships, and relentless enforcement efforts, we are proving that marine conservation is not just about advocacy—it’s about action.

SUPPORT THE FIGH AGAINST ILLEGAL FISHING

Your support for Sea Shepherd Global’s campaigns will:

     - Fund critical patrol operations assisting governments in enforcing fisheries laws
     - Support expert crew deployment to combat illegal fishing in at-risk regions
     - Maintain essential vessel readiness to ensure ongoing enforcement efforts
     - Enable rapid response capabilities to stop poachers before they can do more damage

Together, we can create a future where marine ecosystems thrive, conservation laws are enforced, and critical ocean habitats are protected from industrial exploitation. By taking action today, we move closer to a world where the ocean is free from exploitation and remains a sanctuary for marine life.