SNAKE

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Latest news

First Purple Notice for a vessel suspected of illegal fishing activities

Close cooperation between Interpol and Norway has led to the publication of the first Purple Notice for a vessel believed to be engaged in illegal fishing activities. Issued in all 190 Interpol member countries, the Purple Notice seeks information on the “Snake”, which has changed its name and registration multiple times in past years to avoid detection. According to the Purple Notice, the “Snake” has operated under 12 different names in the past 10 years, and been registered under the flag of at least eight different countries. It was being suspected of continuing to actively fish illegally in the South Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Southern and Central Africa. The “Snake” has been blacklisted by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) since 2004, and by the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO) since 2007. As such, it is subject to sanctions including denial of fishing permits and permission to enter ports. With the “Snake” suspected of violating national laws and international conventions, and amid concerns that the vessel has attempted to disguise its identity to continue its illegal fishing, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, through the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) in Oslo, requested the Purple Notice. The notice aims to gather information on the location and activities of the “Snake”, as well as on the individuals and networks which own, operate and profit from its illegal actions. This is the first time Interpol network has been used to combat illegal fishing. The known former names are "Al Nagm Al Sata" since 2007 (flag Libya); "Caribe 1" until 2007 May; "Luncavita" until 2006 Nov; "Hoyo Maru No. 8" until 2006 Aug. The last known position from May 27 showed the vessel entering the South China Sea coming from the Singapore Strait.