Protecting Marine Ecosystems: Oman Delists ISRAR Fleet

The Government of Oman has removed the notorious ISRAR fleet from their registry of fishing vessels. This came as a setback to illegal fishers following years of investigation into the fleet by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).

"For a truly sustainable ocean, we need systemic transparency in global fisheries," EJF stated.

Illegal fishing is driving ocean ecosystems to breaking point. It is responsible for ecosystem destruction on an industrial scale, taking millions of tonnes of fish out of the ocean with devastating implications for coastal communities, ocean and the climate, the NGO said.

Oman decided to remove a fleet of vessels from its registry of fishing vessels, following a thorough probe.

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"The documentation submitted by owners about the previous history of the vessels was not satisfactory, together with all other evidence collected by all the fisheries departments involved," an investigation report by Omani officials read.

"The fleet did everything it could to avoid detection, including switching the flags it was sailing under (and sailing under no flag at all for some time, which is itself illegal), changing vessel IDs while at sea, and making secretive transfers of crew," EJF reported.

Oman government has been applauded for taking a stand against illegal fishing. "We can make global fisheries sustainable and can end the devastation of ocean ecosystems, so fundamental to life on Earth," EJF stated.

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