Working Conditions Aboard the Maartje-Theadora

On December 18, 2023, the Cherbourg court imposed a staggering fine of €580,000 on Westbank Hochseefischerei, the operators of the fishing vessel 'Maartje Theadora'. This ruling followed the owner's decision to plead guilty, influenced by a requirement to secure a hefty deposit of €1.245 million, should the case extend into a prolonged legal battle. The incident revolved around allegations against the ship's crew engaging in illicit mackerel fishing practices, utilizing a combination of various net types to amplify their catch illegally. Initially, the owners, a part of the Dutch fishing company Parlevliet & Van der Plas, refuted the charges, suggesting discrepancies in fishing logs.

In a recent enforcement action, the patrol vessel "Themis" conducted inspections on the fishing trawler "Maartje Theadora" off the coast of Cape Antifer within French territorial waters. Authorities uncovered significant violations, including the use of trawls with mesh sizes that were too small to legally target the designated species, such as mackerel and herring. Shockingly, it was revealed that over half of the trawler's 4,000-ton cargo comprised undersized fish. Adding to the violations, the captain failed to accurately document these activities in the required fishing logbook, a serious oversight that has raised eyebrows across France and authorities deemed it an unprecedented circumstance. The "Maartje Theadora" is currently being detained at the Normandy dock in Cherbourg. In the wake of this investigation, the maritime police have interrogated both the vessel’s captain and its owner; however, both parties have remained notably reticent. Authorities have given a 72-hour window to reach a resolution before further actions are determined. As the situation develops, fines are expected to be levied based on the estimated value of both the illegal catch and the fishing vessel, potentially amounting to several million euros. Additionally, the court may consider the possibility of confiscating the ship altogether. For further details, view the French report with accompanying video here: http://www.ouest-france.fr/actu/actuDet_-Cherbourg.-2-000-tonnes-de-peche-illegale-dans-le-bateau-usine-[video]_3636-2143895_actu.Htm?xtor=RSS-4&utm_source=RSS_MVI_ouest-france&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS

On December 11, 2012, at precisely 5:30 p.m., the French Marine Affairs patrol boat intercepted the German pelagic trawler "Maartje Theadora" near the port of Cherbourg. The vessel, which is manned by a diverse crew of 57—including sailors from Lithuania, Estonia, South America, and Poland—was conducting fishing operations off Cape Antifer when it was brought to a halt. Following inspections, authorities discovered that of the 3,980 tons of fish aboard, a staggering 2,000 tons failed to adhere to European regulations. A diversion order was implemented shortly after 10 p.m., directing the vessel to Cherbourg, where it has been docked since the morning of December 12. This docking process necessitated the assistance of a pilot and two tugboats. The ship's operator, Parlevliet & Van der Plas, now faces significant financial penalties and is required to provide a deposit for the release of the vessel. For further details, you can view the French reports featuring photos: [La Manche Libre](http://www.lamanchelibre.fr/cherbourg/actualite-40326-un-des-plus-gros-chalutiers-au-monde-deroute-sur-cherbourg.html) and [France 3 Basse-Normandie](http://basse-normandie.france3.fr/2012/12/12/un-navire-allemand-le-maartje-theadora-deroute-sur-cherbourg-mardi-soir-163517.html).