Up to 40% of seafood worldwide is sourced illegally. Coordination between conservation societies, governments and industry is needed to prevent overfishing and fight climate change.

Sea Shepherd is a direct-action marine conservation society defending the world’s primary life support system, as they work the front lines in shutting down illegal fishing and whaling in oceans all over the world. Without stopping illegal fishing, regulation of the fishing industry through quotas remains an ineffective measure to combat overfishing.

Flavia Bellieni Zimmerman from the AIIA for WA spoke with Jeff Hansen, Managing Director of Sea Shepherd Australia, on 26 June. They discussed the importance of preventing overfishing for climate change and the positive, tangible impact of Sea Shepherd’s activism on Australia and the region.

Jeff Hansen is Managing Director of Sea Shepherd Australia. Jeff first joined Sea Shepherd in 2006 as a ground support volunteer in Perth. During the 2007-2008 Antarctic Whale Defence Campaign, Jeff served onboard the M/Y Steve Irwin as Quartermaster as part of Operation Migaloo, which saved 500 whales from the harpoon.

Interview by Flavia Bellieni Zimmermann.

Video and Photography by Nancye Miles-Tweedie.