oceans

05-10-2004 Greenpeace today warned that the world's largest mountain range, which lies under the sea, and the multitude of wildlife it supports, including giant squid, is being destroyed by destructive fishing practices.

The mountain range, which is made of many underwater mountains, or 'seamounts', stretches from Iceland to the Azores and is threatened by bottom trawling, a method of fishing that ploughs up the ocean floor.

This morning Greenpeace activists are taking action to defend the proposed Dogger Bank Marine Reserve in the North Sea from destructive fishing methods.

At 9am Greenpeace activists in 3 rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) dropped buoys to prevent a Dutch beam trawler 'the Gorge Johannes Klazina' from setting its nets. Before taking action the activists had called on the trawler's captain to leave the Dogger Bank Marine Reserve.

Six other Dutch beam trawlers then joined the scene, surrounded one of the Greenpeace RIBs and threw missiles at the activists. One of the trawlers then approached the Greenpeace ship Esperanza and fishermen wearing ski masks shot three flares at the ship. One flare hit Esperanza's mast, but no one was injured.

Underwater cameramen operating off Greenpeace Ship Esperanza in the Viking Bank and Dogger Bank areas of the North Sea have captured beautiful images of life beneath the waves.

Contrary to the image of the North Sea as dead and lifeless, the underwater shots reveal a world of colour and variety. Soft coral known as 'dead men's fingers', octopus, lion mane jellyfish and strawberry rose anemone are just a few of the species already captured on film.

Historic move welcomed by Greenpeace
The government today committed to banning the UK pair trawling fishery which is responsible for hundreds of dolphin deaths every year in a move welcomed and congratulated by Greenpeace.

The 56th meeting of the IWC (International Whaling Commission) is due to take place next week, 19th to the 22nd July in Sorrento, Italy.

Oceans in crisis

Giant squid and sea spiders are among thousands of prehistoric and undiscovered species under threat from a deep-sea fishing method known as bottom trawling which drags nets across the ocean floor and smashes everything in its path, Greenpeace warned today.

Iceland moved toward ending whaling yesterday with the announcement it was scaling its 'scientific' hunt back from 250 whales a year to 25.

"This is a major step in the right direction," said Willie Mackenzie from Greenpeace UK "the government of Iceland should realise that whales are worth more to them alive than dead, and cancel the rest of the hunt."