SSCS HK's Anti-Poaching Patrol in Hong Kong

On the morning of Tuesday 26th November, 2013 Sea Shepherd Hong Kong was taking Plastic Free Seas with some students to a remote beach in the Soko Islands to examine plastic pollution. During this trip at approximately 11:00am Gary Stokes noticed two trawlers travelling west from the area just south of Lok Kwu Chau. The two trawlers were maintaining a constant course and distance from each other which is normal practice when conducting 'pair trawling' operations. This is when two boats tow a large trawl net between them. These nets can stretch back over 1/2 kilometer with the net opening marked by a surface float with flag some distance behind.

Pair-trawlers operating/poaching within HK waters

After dropping off most of the party on a beach in the Soko's, Gary with three young students took the rigid inflatable "Amberjack" to investigate and document. Upon reaching the two vessels just east of the Soko Island group, we documented their operations and markings and photographed them with the GPS.

Captain of one of the trawlers checking Sea Shepherd out through his binoculars

Sea Shepherd document with GPS trawlers operating well within HK waters

Trawlers passing clearly between the Soko Island group inside HK territorial waters

We then broke off from the trawlers and raced around to the northern bay of the Soko's where we had sighted a Marine Police boat earlier. Upon reaching the small police RIB we informed the officers of the illegal poaching activity and showed them the photographs showing the proximately of the trawlers to the island. The Marine Police called it in and took off with Sea Shepherd around the Western side of the Soko's to cut them off.

Marine Police calling in the complaint from Sea Shepherd of illegal poaching activities

Sea Shepherd lead the Marine Police to cut off the trawlers as they make a dash for the border

 The trawler captains were certainly aware that they had been documented and were likely running for the border. Upon rounding the western most point we saw the trawlers, the Police signaled to us that they would engage. We decided that we would also pursue and document the Police in action to ensure that everyone would do their utmost to uphold the law.
(Remember: the camera is the most powerful weapon in the world, and can also be a great motivator!!)

Marine Police engaging the two trawlers poaching in HK waters

Marine Police issue warnings to the trawlers

The Captain of one of the boats trying to say he's just passing through...!

After contacting both trawler captains we exchanged our details with the police and the officers informed us that the large patrol launch approaching from the north would intervene and make the arrest. Shortly after this a high speed police interceptor craft passed us at high speed to pursue them across into Chinese waters.

High speed Marine Police Interceptor

Map of the engagement clearly showing everything well within HK waters

Once committed to engage we were very impressed with the rapid response from the Marine Police. We broke off our pursuit for risk of illegally entering Chinese territorial waters.

We have since learnt that these boats were originally Hong Kong boats, sold to China after the trawling ban came into effect. The police have handed the prosecution over to the AFCD (Agricultural & Fisheries Conservation Department). We will follow up on the developments as they arise and ensure that this case gets as much exposure as possible to act as a deterrent to any future would be poachers. We will press for the maximum penalty.

Sea Shepherd HK will continue our work patrolling Hong Kong waters and will liaise with the Marine Police should we discover any future incursions into HK waters by foreign fishing vessels or local vessels trawling.