Fed: Viarsa capture sent message to illegal fishers: Ellison
By Selina Day
PERTH, Aug 28 AAP - The interception of a Uruguayan trawler accused of poaching Patagoniantoothfish sent a clear message that Australia would not tolerate illegal fishing in itswaters, the federal government said today.
Australian officials, supported by armed South African police, boarded the Viarsa inthe sub-Antarctic ocean overnight, after a 21-day chase - the longest in Australian maritimehistory.
The vessel and its 40 crew - pursued by Australian authorities after having been spottedinside Australia's Antarctic fishing zone on August 7 - were to be escorted to Fremantle.
"This has sent a very clear message that Australia is determined to crack down on illegalfishing in the Southern Ocean," Customs and justice minister Chris Ellison told AAP.
The boat would arrive sometime next month with its illegal fish stock - believed tobe 85 tonnes of the highly prized Patagonian toothfish.
Senator Ellison said the boat's master and some crew may be charged with failure toobey the direction of an officer, which carried an imprisonment term of up to 12 months.
"The crew are under arrest, and the authorities will make a decision as to what courseof action should be taken once the vessel is brought back into port," Senator Ellisonsaid.
The minister thanked South Africa and Britain for helping in the pursuit.
"What has been encouraging has been the international co-operation and support thatwe have received, particularly from Great Britain and South Africa," he said.
Senator Ellison said it was staggering that people put their lives at risk to catch fish.
"When you have a cargo which is as valuable as the Patagonian toothfish, obviouslypeople are going to go to great lengths. The profits are there," Senator Ellison said.
"But regardless of that, we are determined to crack down in the Southern Ocean, andthis is another vessel in a series of vessels that we've seized and we'll deal with."
AAP sd/ak/jlw
KEYWORD: TOOTHFISH ELLISON LEAD
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