As Paul Watson is languishing in jail in Greenland, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK – Ghostnet Campaign was celebrating another record clean-up weekend – and promptly declared it in honour of Watson.
Over the weekend of 3-4 August, the dedicated team returned to the North Sea, once again surpassing their record with an impressive haul of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear. Luke Bullus said: “We are proud to continue honouring Paul Watson’s lifelong work by defending and protecting our oceans whilst we fight for him to be released from custody in Greenland.
He continued: “On Saturday, during our dive on the wreck of the Merchiston, we faced some of our most-challenging conditions yet. Our crew on the vessel Spectre worked tirelessly to retrieve a massive haul of nine pots, over 400 metres of rope, and nets.
“Among the debris, we freed several fish, lobster, crabs, and starfish trapped in the gear. This remarkable effort put a strain on our vessel Spectre and left us with barely any space for the divers! This highlights our growing need for a larger vessel to continue our mission effectively over the coming years.
“On Sunday, we revisited the Guiseppe, a wreck we’ve dived twice before this season, to remove the remaining ghost gear and mark the site as cleared. During this dive, we also freed a crab entangled in netting around its claw and other wildlife.
“Our dives are always demanding, but by strictly following safety protocols, we strive to make them as safe as possible. These efforts are a testament to the lifelong work of Paul Watson, who is currently in a Greenland prison fighting extradition to Japan.”
Luke added: “A huge thank you to our incredible crew who tirelessly dedicate their time and effort, some travelling long distances, all in the name of Paul Watson and direct action. Your commitment and passion are truly inspiring. Together, we continue the fight to protect our oceans.”
Raising funds for a new boat
This latest record haul put a massive strain on the trusty Spectre, prompting the Foundation to start a fundraising campaign for a new boat. Click here to find out more, and to donate to this worthy cause.
