On the morning of October 3, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society patrol boat Sirenian intercepted a suspicious fishing vessel inside the boundaries of the Galapagos National Park.

The industrial fishing boat No.3 Angel was caught fishing just south of Floreana Island at the position of 01°55" South and 090°21"West.

The vessel was boarded by National Park rangers and officers of the Ecuadorian Navy from the Sirenian.

The No.3 Angel was flying the Ecuadoran flag and originated from the mainland. The port of registry has not yet been determined.

The crew of the Sirenian retrieved the drift line and escorted the arrested vessel back to the Port of Porto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz where it is now under official arrest.

In a separate incident, the Galapagos Park rangers also boarded the cargo vessel Virgin de Montesserat and seized a case of 221 shark fins that a crewmember was attempting to smuggle to the mainland. The cargo vessel is being detained by the Ecuadorian Navy and this will be costly for the company because they will be unable to deliver the cargo until they are released by authorities.

The Galapagos National Park has initiated the legal procedures to indict the No.3 Angel, her owner, Captain and crew for the crime of poaching in the Galapagos National Park Marine Reserve.

Captain Paul Watson has congratulated the Galapagos National Park rangers and the Ecuadorian Navy for their successful intervention and arrest of the No. 3 Angel.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is presently seeking donations to finance the annual overhaul of the Sirenian to enable her to continue her successful interventions against illegal fishing.

Seized Boats to be auctioned by Galapagos National Park:

Two boats caught fishing illegally by the National Park will be auctioned on October 8 by the Galapagos National Park.

* The 16 meter, 8 ton Sarita will be auctioned with a starting price of $20,000.

* The 16 meter, 19 ton Don Abraham I will be auctioned with a starting price of $10,000.

Both boats are located on the island of San Cristobal. Bids are being taken by the Galapagos National Park legal department in Porto Ayora.