PROJECT SCALE

In February 2016, Argentine authorities discovered the Hua Li 8, a Chinese-flagged vessel, fishing illegally within the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone. The vessel was eventually confronted by several ships from the Argentine Navy, but ignored all orders and refused to stop, fleeing into neighbouring waters. Given the obstructive way in which the vessel evaded security forces, Argentina requested the assistance of INTERPOL and Project Scale in alerting other member countries to the illegal fishing activities of the Hua Li 8 by issuing a Purple Notice and engaging with countries to track the vessel as it traveled across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Coastal states along the route and the flag state (China) were notified in the interests of coordination and planning for when the vessel would eventually be stopped.

INTERPOL AND THE HUA LI 8

When the Hua Li 8 was intercepted in Indonesian waters, INTERPOL also deployed an Investigative Support Team to help collect digital evidence from the ship. Cases such as this demonstrate how illegal fishing activities can quickly escalate into potentially dangerous situations. Effective international cooperation via INTERPOL channels between all countries connected to the vessel, including the flag state as well as those whose waters it passes through, is necessary to de-escalate tensions and prevent future illegal activity.

PROJECT SCALE - FISHERIES CRIME

International fisheries crime is complex; it crosses national borders and can simultaneously implicate multiple countries including flag states, the countries of the crew members, where the corporate entities are based and those where the vessel makes port. In addition, fisheries crime is not limited to the act of illegal fishing itself but can span a range of illicit activities including fraud, document falsification, corruption, bribery and more, implicating more than just national fisheries or environmental agencies. With its global network of 190 member countries, INTERPOL is ideally placed to coordinate the global response to fisheries crime and connect national authorities to facilitate the exchange of information to advance transnational fisheries crime investigations. Launched in 2013, INTERPOL’s Project Scale provides a global platform for combating illegal fishing and related criminal activity which facilitates illegal fishing.

Through Project Scale, INTERPOL Environmental Security:• Raises awareness of fisheries crime and its consequences;• Supports institutionalized cooperation between national agencies and

international partners;• Assesses the needs of vulnerable member countries to effectively address

fisheries crimes;• Provides training and intelligence analysis;• Offers case-specific investigative support through specialized teams of experts;• Facilitates regional and international operations to suppress crime, disrupt

criminal networks and identify and track the illicit proceeds.

Two examples of INTERPOL’s role in combatting fisheries crime are the cases of the ‘Bandit Six’ and the Hua Li 8.

INTERPOL, through its Project Scale, has played an integral role in supporting successful investigations into a fleet of illegal fishing vessels known as the ‘Bandit Six’ and their operating network. The six vessels – Thunder, Viking, Kunlun, Songhua, Yongding and Perlon – were known to illegally fish for Patagonian toothfish (also called Chilean sea bass) in the Antarctic Ocean. With INTERPOL’s support, some 15 countries worldwide initiated investigations and conducted operations into the activities of the illegal fishing fleet and the operators behind it, with intelligence provided by additional member countries and several investigations still ongoing. Through its Project Scale initiative to combat fisheries crimes, INTERPOL issued Purple Notices for the Thunder and other suspect vessels, assisted national law enforcement authorities with evidence collection and analysis, and facilitated information exchange among the many countries involved. An investigative task force, comprised of 10 member countries, was established to facilitate exchange intelligence and information on the Thunder and its network and develop an action plan for when the vessel eventually stopped at a port.

After the Thunder sank off the coast of Sao Tomé and Principe, INTERPOL provided technical support to the Sao Tomé authorities in securing evidence in the case, and also facilitated the transfer of physical evidence and statements collected by the environmental group Sea Shepherd to Sao Tomé, via German law enforcement authorities, to aid the investigation. Experts from Canada and INTERPOL assisted in evaluating the digital evidence gathered to determine its potential value for investigations. The Sao Tomé investigation ultimately led to the successful prosecution of the captain and senior crew members of the Thunder. With many countries worldwide conducting investigations into the Bandit Six, INTERPOL has held several regional investigative and analytical case meetings -bringing together investigators to exchange pertinent intelligence - and continues to support ongoing investigations worldwide.

INTERPOL AND THE ‘BANDIT SIX’

INTERPOL General Secretariat200 quai Charles de Gaulle

69006 Lyon - FranceTel: +33 4 72 44 70 00 Fax: +33 4 72 44 71 63

Email: environmentalcrime@interpol.intwww.interpol.int

Copyright photos:Jean Gaumy ©Norwegian Seafood Council

Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border ProtectionNew Zealand Defence Force

La Guardia Civil Ministry of Interior Sept

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INTERPOL Project Scale is supported by the Governments of Norway and the US and the Pew Charitable Trusts.