When Greenpeace activists discovered a longline stretching 20 kilometers across the Pacific Ocean, filled with dead and dying marine life, they knew they had to act. What they found was shocking: critically endangered sharks, tangled and lifeless, pulled from the deep with no chance of escape. Their mission to free the ocean from silent slaughter became a fight for survival—one line at a time.
A Deadly Line in the Water
The longline was set by a fishing vessel operating in international waters, far from the public eye. This single stretch of line was armed with thousands of hooks and baited for tuna—but it didn’t discriminate. Greenpeace crews aboard the Arctic Sunrise came across the line during a patrol and were devastated by the sight: scores of dead and dying sharks, including endangered silky and oceanic whitetip sharks.
Endangered Species Among the Victims
These weren’t just any sharks. Many were protected under international conservation treaties, some listed as critically endangered. Their deaths weren’t just tragic—they were illegal. The longline acted like a ghost trap, pulling in marine life indiscriminately. Greenpeace believes these lines are part of a pattern of systemic overfishing, endangering species that the ocean can no longer afford to lose.
A Rescue Operation at Sea
In a bold move, Greenpeace activists made the call to cut the longline. Over the course of hours, they pulled and severed over 20 kilometers of fishing line, removing hooks and releasing what living animals they could. The effort was part rescue mission, part protest—a stand against unchecked exploitation of marine ecosystems. Every freed hook was a small victory against industrial overfishing.
A Pattern of Exploitation
Greenpeace has long warned about the dangers of longline fishing, particularly in the Pacific. These vessels often operate in poorly monitored zones where enforcement is minimal and reporting is inconsistent. The organization argues that many nations are turning a blind eye to the destruction caused by these fleets, prioritizing profit over sustainability. Their latest findings provide alarming evidence that regulations are not being respected at sea.
Protecting What’s Left
After recovering and documenting the damage, Greenpeace is demanding stronger protections for sharks and stricter enforcement of existing laws. They’re calling on Pacific nations to ban longline fishing in sensitive areas and ensure that endangered species are truly protected—not just on paper. According to their scientists, without urgent action, species like the silky shark may vanish from these waters within a decade.
Watch the full video here.
A Fight That’s Just Beginning
For Greenpeace, cutting the line wasn’t just a one-time action—it was a symbol. A message to the world that ocean destruction isn’t hidden anymore. Just like James and Nahkato, the story doesn’t end with rescue—it begins with a bond and a mission. The crew aboard the Arctic Sunrise has seen the damage firsthand, and they’re not turning away. These sharks may never know their rescuers, but their survival depends on this kind of unwavering commitment to life below the surface.
adventuring, photography and videography. I am currently working towards a BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University to go on to specialise in Marine Sciences one day.
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