While WSRW awaits answers, Russians keep fishing
Article image
In May 2009, Western Sahara Resource Watch demanded from the Russian government and the Murmansk Trawl Fleet to halt all fisheries in occupied Western Sahara. While we still await reply, the Russian giants keep trawling.
Published 16 August 2009


admiral_starikov_16.08.2009_380.jpgOn 31 May 2009, WSRW demanded the Murmansk Trawl Fleet to withdraw their vessels from the occupied territories.

On 26 May 2009, WSRW outlined the political, ethical and legal controversies in such fisheries to President Medvedev, and demanded an immediate halt the current fisheries.

Both requests remain unanswered.

Admiral Starikov (IMO 8607218) and Kapitan Bogomolov (IMO 8607402) have at least since second half of July been trawling offshore the southern parts of occupied Western Sahara. The route to the top right belongs to Starikov, while the one below to Bogomolov.

Also the Russian flagged 1.810 dwt cargo ship Zamoskvorechve (IMO 8721129), belonging to the Murmansk company Sovrybflot was observed in Dakhla end of July 2009.

kapitan_bogomolov_16.08.2009_380.jpgThe Russian-Moroccan fisheries partnership agreement has been scheduled to be renewed prior to September 2009. WSRW demanded in the letter to the Russian president that the agreement must clearly exclude fisheries in the occupied territories. Morocco has no right to sign fisheries agreements covering the occupied parts of Western Sahara with foreign states.

The photo above shows Admiral Starikov bunkering in Las Palmas in August last year, on its way to the occupied territories. See more photos of the Russian fleet here.

Russia-Morocco controversial fisheries deal on the horizon

Russian and Moroccan representatives recently met to further discuss a new fisheries agreement covering the waters offshore occupied Western Sahara, but a new deal seems still pending.

27 May 2020

Russia signs new fisheries deal for occupied Western Sahara

The Russian and Moroccan governments on 15 March 2016 announced the renewing of their fisheries agreement, allowing Russian trawlers fish in occupied Western Sahara. WSRW has translated the agreement from Russian to English.
13 June 2016

Russian plunder vessel pollutes Canary-Western Sahara strait

A Russian vessel that has been fishing illegally in occupied Western Sahara, sank a forthnight ago. The vessel is still leaking fuel oil in the area between the Canary Islands and Western Sahara.
28 April 2015

Russian fishermen fail in geography yet again

A Russian trawler that has been fishing offshore occupied Western Sahara much of last year, has now been seized by the Senegalese authorities for illegal fishing.
09 January 2014