Operation Treasured Islands
by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society 2 Jan 2019 06:59 PST
Operation Treasured Islands © Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Operation Treasured Islands was a continuation of our patrol, protection and research campaign in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Biodiversity Corridor, this time taking place in the Revillagigedo Archipelago in Mexico.
The area is a hotspot for biodiversity and is home to the largest aggregation of resident manta rays in the world, the greatest diversity of sharks in the Tropical Eastern Pacific and a wintering sub-population of humpback whales.
During this campaign, Sea Shepherd brought our Island-Class Cutter, the M/V Sharpie, to the newly created marine reserve in the Revillagigedo Archipelago in order to patrol and prevent any fishing activity. As the area is a critical breeding ground for commercially fished species like tuna and sierra, it has been a target for fishing activity in the past. We successfully deterred illegal fishing in the reserve, intercepting one and causing several others to leave the area.