This document summarises French observations of illegal fishing over the past year.
This report covers Statistical Subareas 58.6, 58.5.1 and 58.5.2, which include the Crozet, Kerguelen and Heard and McDonald EEZs and nearby areas. It provides information on vessels appearing on the CCAMLR black list observed in waters in the Convention Area this season. It also presents general information on fishing activities targeting toothfish outside the Convention Area.
The surveillance system deployed by France in the EEZs remained in operation throughout the year. This has made it possible to divert a vessel found fishing within the Crozet EEZ.
There seems to be an increase both in the number of vessels observed on the outer edges of the continental shelves close to the EEZs and the likelihood of these vessels making incursions into those areas. The report provides information on the increased presence of fishing vessels – whether they be IUU vessels or vessels not officially considered as such – in the area around the Crozet EEZ, and more particularly in the west-norwestern part of the EEZ.
In this area, the IUU fleet has focused on BANZARE and Elan Banks (Statistical Division 58.4.3) this season, as well as on Ob and Lena seamounts, and sometimes on the boundaries of the Kerguelen EEZ (Lameyde Ridge). An upsurge in IUU activities targeting Antarctic toothfish has also been observed.