This victory has been our "claim to fame". This accomplishment is the one which encouraged Robin Marinos to start the Earth Advocates. It is also the story which reveal the most negative impact against the Environment, as can be read from the reports and chart. This is the action that was energy intensive and required spontaneous strategies, as comparable to "the one hunting being hunted at the same time"! A matter of, being one step ahead, and staying ahead.

This action received the most International and high level National attention of all our actions to date, even Soeharto got his fingers dirty on this case. Not to forget the hypocritical Governor of North Sulawesi, and numerous ministers and high ranking military personnel. Not all of these were adversaries. This case required the help of a few very good people, otherwise it may have never happened, or never would have been stopped. In spite of those facts, this action was mainly successful because of the endless effort of Robin Marinos, who was not only near the verge of collapse from total exhaustion, but he was very close to being killed, as was revealed to him by a confidential source two years later. He was told that the Intelligence Generals involved in the so called 'Fishing Joint Venture' sent a team of military thugs to Sulawesi to get rid of "that American Criminal". A criminal for stopping an environmental catastrophe from continuing. Only the thought of the environmental damage and all the magnificent marine life lost because of a bunch of careless, greedy and ignorant men makes one wonder who is the criminal. This was the action that made Robin realize that defending nature and its creatures makes one a target of attacks and a disliked person by many others. One must be prepared to face many uphill battles in defense of the voiceless creatures of god. This paradox can make most people lose motivation in wanting to defend nature, however this organization is a creation as a result of these difficulties, and is proud to represent those who want to do more to confront similar kinds of injustices regardless of the odds, because we know we are right! We welcome those who believe as we do as defenders of our precious Nature and we will do the best we can to succeed! That is exactly why this success story is the model case that led to the creation of Earth Advocates.

To read more concerning this story and view photographic images click In Depth Reports, Illegal Fishing Practices - Trap Net Fishing.