WA: Navy security party to help toothfish operation
PERTH, Aug 31 AAP - A team of Navy security specialists is flying to South Africa todayto help escort back to Australia a Uruguayan trawler accused of poaching Patagonian toothfish.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said 27 navy personnel would board the fishing vesselViarsa, which was apprehended on Thursday almost 2,000 nautical miles south-west of CapeTown.
The navy contingent would relieve Australian Customs and Fisheries officers who wereon board the trawler.
The customs officers pursued the Viarsa across the Southern Ocean for 21 days beforecatching up with it - the longest chase in Australian maritime history.
Senator Hill said in a press release today that the Navy security party would fly toSouth Africa, then rendezvous at sea with the Viarsa.
The trip to Fremantle was expected to take several weeks.
The vessel was suspected of illegally fishing in Australian waters, and was believedto have on board 85 tonnes of highly prized Patagonian toothfish.
Its crew was under arrest, and may be charged with failing to obey the direction ofan officer, which carries a jail term of up to 12 months.
They face maximum penalties of $500,000 if found to have poached fish illegally fromAustralian waters.
"Defence supports other agencies in fisheries protection in the Southern Ocean whenrequested if suitable capabilities are available," Senator Hill said.
AAP alm/ak/de
KEYWORD: TOOTHFISH
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