France launches inquiry after massive lifeless fish spill off Atlantic coast

Within the remark, the PFA additionally stated: “We want to explain that round 5.50am on 3 February 2022, an quantity of blue whiting was once involuntarily launched into the ocean from the Margiris vessel, because of a rupture within the cod-end a part of its internet. Such an coincidence is a unprecedented prevalence and on this case was once led to via the rapidly huge dimension of the fish stuck. Consistent with EU regulation, the incident and the amounts misplaced had been recorded within the vessel’s log ebook and reported to the government of the vessel’s flag state, Lithuania.”

Annick Girardin — the French minister for Fisheries and Maritime problems — stated the sight of the lifeless fish was once “surprising” and requested the nationwide fishing surveillance authority to release an investigation, to “make clear that factor in order that we establish the reasons of the numerous dumping of fishes.”

In a tweet, Girardin additionally added: “France helps sustainable fishing and this is not mirrored right here. Must an infraction have passed off, sanctions could be taken in opposition to the accountable shipowner that might be known.”

Virginijus Sinkevičius — the EU Commissioner for Surroundings, Oceans and Fisheries — additionally commented at the case and referred to as it an “unlucky incident within the Bay of Biscay.”

On Twitter, he stated the EU Fee “would react right away” and are launching an inquiry to nationwide government of the fishing house and the presumed flag state of the vessel, to get exhaustive data and proof in regards to the case.”

Lamya Essemlali — the pinnacle of Sea Shepherd’s French arm — informed Reuters she believed the fish have been intentionally discharged.

Trawling of this scale is an act that many environmental activists steadily protest in opposition to — in 2021, CNN identified that “on a daily basis, 1000’s of fishing boats world wide drag massive weighted nets around the seafloor, ensnaring the whole lot of their wake and destroying marine habitats” in a tale on backside trawling, a procedure that has been described via scientists as “bulldozing” the sea ground.