Chasing Shadows on the High Seas: The Rise and Fall of Interpol's Fisheries Enforcement Team

In the vast ocean, where rules are often broken, a special team at Interpol once stood guard. They were the Global Fisheries Enforcement Team, or FET for short. Their job? To track down ships that fish where they shouldn't, using tricks and technology to stay one step ahead. The FET's work was no easy task. They relied on satellite images, reports from other ships, and even old-school navigation tricks to find vessels that turned off their tracking systems. One of their biggest successes was the case of the Hua Li 8, a Chinese ship caught red-handed fishing illegally in Argentine waters. The FET tracked it all the way to the Indian Ocean, where it was finally intercepted by the Indonesian Navy. But the FET's work wasn't just about catching one rogue ship. They treated illegal fishing like organized crime, following the money and the networks behind it. They worked with countries and organizations around the world, sharing information and coordinating efforts. Their work helped drive poachers out of the Southern Ocean and made it harder for them to hide. However, the FET's success didn't last forever. Funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Norwegian government dried up, and the team was disbanded. Some say Interpol's environmental security team is still active, but it's unclear how effective they are without the dedicated fisheries enforcement team. The fight against illegal fishing is far from over. With fish stocks dwindling and demand for seafood rising, the need for international cooperation and enforcement is greater than ever. The FET's story serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when nations work together, and the challenges that lie ahead.