As part of its partnership with the Gabonese government and Sea Shepherd, Global Fishing Watch identified a group of trawlers operating inside Gabon’s Grand Sud Reserve, one of the largest MPAs in West and Central Africa. A combined operation resulted in three trawlers apprehended.
The Operation Albacore partnership between the Gabonese government and Sea Shepherd has been active since 2016, providing support to combat illegal fishing in Gabonese waters. Global Fishing Watch has contributed satellite-derived vessel intelligence, technology and training to help authorities plan and carry out targeted patrols.
In preparation for a patrol conducted in July 2026, Global Fishing Watch delivered a patrol planning workshop in Libreville, for 25 personnel from Gabon’s Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, its National Agency of National Parks and the Gabonese Navy. The training combined intelligence analysis with operational planning to help enforcement teams use vessel tracking data during patrols.
As part of this collaboration, Global Fishing Watch produced a tailored intelligence report identifying high-risk areas and vessels of interest.
Instead of conducting broad patrols across Gabon’s vast waters, the authorities and Sea Shepherd used Global Fishing Watch’s analysis to focus their efforts on a fleet of five industrial trawlers operating about ten kilometres inside Gabonese waters. Knowing exactly where to look, Sea Shepherd’s patrol vessel, Age of Union, and Gabonese law enforcement quickly mobilised.
The patrol intercepted three trawlers, identified as Rong Chang 19, Rong Chang 26 and Chang Hiu 01. The vessels were boarded and found to be operating without valid fishing licenses or documentation. One vessel was intercepted while attempting to discard its trawl net, apparently in an effort to destroy evidence. All three were escorted 200 kilometers north to Libreville for detention.
Over the past decade, Operation Albacore has led to the seizure of 16 vessels for illegal fishing in Gabonese waters. However, the latest patrol confirms the operational value of integrating satellite intelligence, targeted patrol planning and coordinated enforcement.
The owner of the three detained trawlers has since reached a settlement with Gabonese authorities.
