Operation Albacore II is Sea Shepherd’s second campaign in partnership with the Gabonese government to tackle illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in Central West Africa. Throughout the 2017 tuna fishing season, Gabonese marines (Marine Nationale) and officers with the Fisheries Enforcement Agency (ANPA) will be stationed on-board Sea Shepherd’s ship, the M/V Bob Barker, working alongside Sea Shepherd crew to patrol Gabon's sovereign waters. These patrols will provide a vehicle for law enforcement to defend, conserve and protect critical tuna habitat in Central West Africa from July through September 2017.

The campaign was officially launched today at a press conference in the Gabonese capital of Libreville by the Gabonese Minister of National Defense; the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment for Gabon; and the captain of the Bob Barker, Adam Meyerson.

Also in attendance was Admiral Giuseppe de Giorgi, the former Chief of the Navy for Italy, who is joining the Sea Shepherd crew on patrol as a navigation officer and coxswain.