Evidence is emerging of unregulated and probably illegal tuna fishing in Libyan waters during this year’s conflict, according to BBC News.

An Iccat report with vessel tracking records shows a large presence of purse seiners inside Libyan waters, according to a story published today by BBC News.

The European Commission believes any fishing in Libyan waters this year could be judged illegal.

BBC News writes that according to environmental groups that monitor tuna-fishing ports, vessels authorised to fish in Libyan waters did not do so, remaining in French and Maltese ports all season. If that is correct, it implies that boats from other Iccat member states were operating there, which would be illegal.

A letter from a former industry source, obtained by BBC News, suggests the involvement of EU vessels.

Read the full story at the BBC: Tuna fished ‘illegally’ during Libya conflict

Footnote:
The annual meeting of Iccat – The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas – opens this week in Instanbul.

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