A longline from Guarda was legally at sea fishing when a ship drew near in June 2019. The vessel faced harassment from the environmental group Greenpeace, which sent one of its inflatable boats to protest in front of the ship while it worked. The encounter drew sharp criticism from the fishing sector, and the Guard Longliners Organization (Orpagu) called the maneuver by the Greenpeace vessel “a real shame.” Earlier this year, Greenpeace returned with two Galician boats that were more agile, cutting off part of the longline where the hooks hung and leaving two legally operating vessels in the North Atlantic temporarily unhooked. The longline operators, including Pearl Forever from Burela and Second Ribel from Orpagu, filed a criminal complaint against Greenpeace for what they labeled theft.
According to Greenpeace, the action was carried out by the ship Arctic Sunrise. Activists confiscated portions of the longlines, removing a 30.2-kilometer longline and 286 hooks. They released a blue shark and seven swordfish, among other species caught on the line, arguing that they had uncovered the harms of industrial fishing. A spokesperson for Greenpeace’s Oceans campaign commented that the evidence highlighted the environmental impact of large-scale fishing operations.
Greenpeace noted that longline fishing involves a long line from which numerous hooks are suspended, a practice legal in the North Atlantic and applicable even within some marine protected areas such as the Milne Seamount Complex. The theft incident, observed by Greenpeace in a formal letter, inflamed the irritation of the longline industry, particularly Orpagu. The association signaled that it would seek protection from the European Commission against the attacks and was preparing legal action or other appropriate procedures in response, as their legal team continued to work on the case.
reactions
As in 2019, Orpagu accused Greenpeace of acting against the European fleet rather than against vessels that engage in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. They stressed that Spanish longliners, and EU fleets in general, are constantly monitored by satellite tracking and many have on-board observers. They also highlighted a project done in concert with the Spanish government and the European Commission to install cameras on ships for enhanced oversight.
Critics within Orpagu questioned Greenpeace’s actions, noting that the organization reportedly admitted removing equipment and latches from gear. Juana Parada, the association’s manager, asserted that several Second Ribel crew members are on board with electronic observers, and warned that the ongoing legal actions could lead to consequences if any vessel in a Spanish port is implicated. Parada emphasized that the case involves crew members who were photographed during the incident and that the organization’s stance would be tested in court.
From Burelabelong, a representative linked to Pearl Forever echoed similar concerns, arguing that the episode tarnishes the spirit of democracy and freedom supported by Greenpeace’s partners and collaborators, likening some tactics to piracy on the high seas.
just the beginning
Sergio Lopez, the manager cited in internal communications, cautioned that this may not be the end. He warned of further actions in the days ahead, pointing to years of tension between Spanish and Portuguese shark fishing fleets and suggesting that the issue could peak if the blue shark is listed under the Agreement on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in a forthcoming conference. The discussion centers on protection, oversight, and regulatory status that could shape future enforcement and fishing practices.