In a dramatic six-hour confrontation in the ecologically fragile waters of Antarctica, the Chilean Navy intervened to defend a commercial krill trawler operated by Aker Qrill, raising urgent concerns about the role of state forces in protecting corporate interests rather than the marine ecosystems they are entrusted to safeguard.
The incident marks the latest escalation in an ongoing conflict, following a dramatic ship collision between the activist vessel and the trawler on 31 March. Captain Paul Watson says their continued actions will disrupt industrial krill fishing, which they argue threatens the delicate Antarctic food web. In a massive win for the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, the Antarctic Endurance is now fleeing the area and heading to Coronation Island, which is at least one day away.
“They turned off their AIS to mask this run,” The foundation reported. Campaign Leader Lamya Essemlali states, “The incident began when we approached Aker QRILLS massive trawler in a small rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) and deployed a hooked anchor to damage the net and ultimately prevent them from fishing the krill, which the whale need for their survival.”
“The trawler crew responded with high-pressure fire hoses in an attempt to repel us. We continued our intervention from our main ship, deploying additional hooked anchors and repeatedly interrupting the trawling process. As a result, the krill trawler was forced to lift its net to inspect the damage, effectively halting its krill fishing operations for several hours.
Following this, the Aker QRILL vessel issued a distress call, prompting a response from the Chilean Navy. Despite their lack of jurisdiction in Antarctic waters, naval forces arrived and deployed water cannons to push activists away from the vessel. “The Norwegian krill vessels are fleeing the Bandero and calling for help,” Captain Paul Watson says. “We didn’t come to watch, we came to stop their destructive operations and we will win.”
“This intervention raises a critical question: should the Chilean Navy be used to safeguard the health of the oceans, or to shield industrial fishing operations from scrutiny and disruption? We are taking these actions for Ocean protection because the 27 nations which are part of the Antarctic governance system are consistently failing to protect krill, a cornerstone species for the entire Antarctic ecosystem: whales, seals and seabirds. Our demand is clear: no more fishing in the Southern Ocean!” Says Essemlali.
Captain Paul Watson, founder of the foundation, issued a strong statement condemning the intervention:
“The Chilean Navy is entrusted with safeguarding these waters, not shielding corporations that are stripping them bare. What we saw today was not enforcement, it was complicity. When governments choose profit over preservation, it becomes the duty of individuals to act. The activists remained nonviolent throughout the encounter, focusing solely on disrupting the trawling operation and drawing attention to this urgent ecological crisis.” said Captain Paul Watson
The Chilean Navy has not yet released a formal statement regarding the incident or clarified the legal basis for its intervention.
For media reel & photos > https://jolly.cpwf.ngo/s/b4MGA8Zr5r65NNr
—-ENDS—
Media Contact
www.paulwatsonfoundation.org