FIELD OPS · CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
AE-SOP-0320 — Driftnet Interdiction & Gear Recovery
To conduct Disrupt-tier interference with illegal netting while protecting crews, non-target wildlife, and the evidentiary value of recovered gear. The procedure guarantees that action is taken only against a confirmed standing target, that live bycatch release takes priority over recovery speed, and that the League harms no crew who can be spared — gear, hulls, and ledgers are the targets, never people.
ActiveField OpsRev C
Doc Control AE-SOP-0320Revision CEffective 2090-03-01Next Review 2091-03-01Owner Fleet OperationsApprover Fleet AdmiraltyStatus ActiveClass RESTRICTED // TIDEWATER-EYES-ONLY
1. Purpose
To conduct Disrupt-tier interference with illegal netting while protecting crews, non-target wildlife, and the evidentiary value of recovered gear. The procedure guarantees that action is taken only against a confirmed standing target, that live bycatch release takes priority over recovery speed, and that the League harms no crew who can be spared — gear, hulls, and ledgers are the targets, never people.
2. Scope
All Disrupt-tier net interdiction and gear-recovery operations.
- In scope: Target confirmation, bycatch release, remote gear fouling and recovery, evidence handling of gear, and safe withdrawal.
- Out of scope: Setting the target's tier, which follows AE-SOP-0301; forensic sampling of catch or effluent, which follows AE-SOP-0312.
3. Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Driftnet | An illegal free-floating gillnet, indiscriminate in catch and a primary interdiction target. |
| Bycatch | Non-target animals caught in the net, whose live release takes priority over gear recovery. |
| Standing Target | A vessel or operation with an open dossier authorised to Disrupt tier or higher. |
| Remote Recovery | Fouling and retrieving gear by ROV and remote rig, keeping crewed hulls clear of working lines. |
4. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|
| Fleet Operations (Owner) | Owns the operation; confirms target standing and authorises action on scene. |
| Recovery Operator | Runs remote fouling and recovery; prioritises bycatch release and crew safety. |
| Evidence Officer | Weighs, tags, and photographs recovered gear before disposal. |
| NEREID | Tracks the target, monitors for approaching flagged authorities, and logs the recovery telemetry. |
5. Interdiction Decision Limits
| Condition | Threshold | Priority | Action |
|---|
| Target confirmation | Open Disrupt-tier dossier | Mandatory | No confirmation, no action |
| Live bycatch present | Any live non-target | Highest | Release before recovery |
| Crewed-hull proximity | Clear of working lines | Safety | Remote / ROV only |
| Flagged authority inbound | Within response radius | Withdraw | Disengage before arrival |
Note. Bycatch release always outranks recovery speed, and the League withdraws before any flagged authority arrives — harm no crew who can be spared.
6. Materials & Equipment
- Confirmed Disrupt-tier dossier for the target
- ROV and remote fouling rig
- Bycatch release tools and handling gear
- Gear-evidence scale, tags, and imaging kit
- Crewed-hull standoff and withdrawal plan
- AquaLink target-tracking and authority-watch feed
7. Procedure
7.1 Confirm
- Confirm the gear is illegal and the vessel a standing target before any action.
- Verify the dossier authorises Disrupt tier or higher.
- Brief the withdrawal trigger before engaging.
7.2 Recover
- Prioritise releasing live bycatch from the net over speed of recovery.
- Foul and recover gear by remote and ROV; keep crewed hulls clear of working lines.
- Weigh, tag, and photograph all recovered gear as evidence before disposal.
7.3 Withdraw
- Monitor for any flagged authority entering the response radius.
- Withdraw before any flagged authority arrives.
- Harm no crew who can be spared — gear and hulls only.
8. Records
- Interdiction operation report (retained 7 years)
- Bycatch release log with species and counts
- Recovered-gear evidence record with weights and imagery
- Recovery telemetry trace
- Withdrawal-decision log
9. References
10. Revision History
| Rev | Date | Author | Summary |
|---|
| A | 2088-05-22 | Fleet Operations | Initial issue; remote-recovery and target-confirmation rules established. |
| B | 2089-09-10 | Fleet Operations | Added bycatch-priority and gear-evidence handling. |
| C | 2090-03-01 | Fleet Operations | Formalised authority-watch withdrawal trigger and crew-safety standoff. |