It has been busy since last September, when The Black Fish cut nets in Taiji, Japan, to release dolphins destined for the dolphinarium trade. We have mostly been campaigning for cetaceans in captivity. A dolphinarium in Münster, Germany, announced it would re-home its four dolphins after an intense campaign last year and in October the Orca Coalition was launched, bringing together seven animal and conservation organisations to work towards the release of captive orca Morgan.

The Black Fish is now switching some of its focus to the European industrial fisheries. Black Fish activist Anna Berkmann: "It is important to us that we focus our work on the suffering which takes places at sea. The fishing industry has reached a point where it is simply out of control. The European fishing fleet operates at overcapacity and most commercially caught species are fished at levels above scientific recommendations. Add to that the under-reporting of catches, illegal fishing and the fact that existing laws are rarely enforced. Europe has become a free haven for poachers and this is a situation which we are determined to end."

Teed Arvidsson, of the Swedish chapter of The Black Fish: "We simply need to get out to sea to the actual places where many of these illegal and destructive activities take place, to investigate and where possible take non-violent direct action. Especially in the Mediterranean Sea, where most of the bluefin tuna is caught illegally, this could make the difference."

The Black Fish is appealing for help to reach a £20.000 donation target. Please help us make the difference. Donate online:  http://www.theblackfish.org/donate.html

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