Working Conditions Aboard the Annelies-Ilena

On February 15, 2024, approximately 200 individuals took to the streets of Saint-Malo to voice their opposition to the 'Annelies Ilena,' a massive factory ship notorious for its ecological and social implications. This trawler, operated by the Saint-Malo Fishing Company, is capable of netting an astonishing 400,000 kilograms of fish within just 24 hours, raising alarms among small-scale fishermen and environmental advocates. Charles Braine, a former fisherman and the president of the Pleine mer association, teamed up with the NGO Bloom to rally against this controversial vessel, which is set to replace another trawler, the 'Joseph Roty II.' The protest took place in front of the Saint-Malo sub-prefecture, attracting representatives from various fishermen's defense groups, including Pleine mer, Mor Glaz, and the CGT des sailors du Grand Ouest. Environmental supporters and several elected officials, including Green MEPs Caroline Roose and Marie Toussaint, also joined the demonstration. The 'Annelies Ilena' has garnered the ominous nickname “ship from hell” during its previous operation in Mauritania, where it faced criticism for its highly destructive fishing practices. Flagged under Poland, this vessel is owned by the Dutch fishing conglomerate Parlevliet & Van der Plas. For further details and visuals, check out the full report: https://www.la-croix.com/planete/surpeche-a-saint-malo-manifestation-contre-le-plus-grand-chalutier-du-monde-20240215.

In the early hours of April 5, 2018, at approximately 4 a.m., the maritime prefecture of the Channel and North Sea responded to an urgent call from CROSS Jobourg regarding a crew member aboard the fishing vessel "Annelies Ilena." This incident occurred roughly 37 nautical miles off the Casquets, northwest of La Hague. Following a medical consultation with professionals from the Maritime Medical Consultation Center in the Netherlands, the decision was made to proceed with a medical evacuation, coordinated in partnership with SAMU in Le Havre. At 4:20 a.m., a specialized team from the Medical Center of the Armed Forces of Querqueville was airlifted by a Cayman navy helicopter stationed at Maupertus. The helicopter successfully reached the vessel, and by 5:20 a.m., the injured sailor was hoisted aboard and transported to the Caen hospital, arriving for medical care at 6:30 a.m. This swift action underscores the importance of maritime emergency response teams in ensuring the safety and well-being of seafarers. For more details, see the full French report with accompanying images here: https://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/vacuation-medicale-bord-chalutier-annelies-ilena-large-des-casquets.html

In a significant legal proceeding, the skipper of the super trawler 'Annelies Ilena,' Gerrit Plug, aged 58 and of Dutch nationality, has pleaded not guilty to multiple fishery offences during a session at the Donegal Circuit Court on March 25. The allegations stem from an incident on November 22, 2013, when Coastguard officers aboard the 'Lé Róisín' observed seagulls surrounding the vessel, indicative of fish being discarded. Upon boarding, authorities discovered a grading machine present in the production area and evidence of fish being thrown back into the sea. Following this, the trawler was detained near Tory Island and subsequently taken to Killybegs for further investigation. The prosecution highlighted a troubling absence of fish discard records dating from October 8 up to the boarding date. Mr. Plug faces five separate charges, which include the improper discarding of quota-regulated fish species, failure to maintain discard records, and the possession of illegal fishing equipment. Testimonies revealed that the trawler utilized unlawful devices for grading catch and discarding fish that should have been retained. The case presented by the prosecution suggests that this was not a one-off incident but rather an ongoing practice of high-grading, where fish such as horse-mackerel were disposed of to prioritize the retention of more valuable larger fish. Patricia McLaughlin, representing the prosecution, detailed that all charges connect back to this high-grading practice aimed at maximizing profit from the catch. The trial is set to continue as evidence is further examined.