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Recordbreaking Chase Nets Suspected Toothfish Poachers CANBERRA, Australia, August 27, 2003 (ENS) - Australian Customs and Fisheries officials have boarded a fishing boat suspected of fishing illegally in Australian waters after a recordbreaking hot pursuit that ended in its 21st day. At 1:30 am local time officials from the Australian patrol vessel Southern Supporter arrested the crew of 40 of the Uruguayan flagged fishing vessel Viarsa 1 without incident. The South African oceangoing tug John Ross and the United Kingdom fisheries patrol vessel Dorada provided support at the scene, some 2,000 nautical miles southwest of Cape Town, South Africa. The South African polar icebreaker SA Agulhas is still proceeding to the scene to offer additional support as required. The Viarsa 1 was detected allegedly fishing for lucrative Patagonian toothfish, also called Chilean sea bass, inside the Australian Fishing Zone near Heard Island and McDonald Islands on August 7.
Australian Customs and Fisheries officers, supported by armed South African enforcement officers, board the Viarsa 1 as the crew musters at the stern of the vessel. (Photo courtesy Australian Customs)With the Australian patrol boat Southern Supporter in pursuit, the Viarsa 1 fled across the Southern Ocean, at one point losing its way in Antarctic pack ice until it was directed to safety by crew members aboard the Southern Supporter.The boarding brings to a close a 21 day, 3,900 nautical mile chase - the longest in Australia’s maritime history. The weather conditions have turned severe with the four vessels encountering snow storms and the full impact of the Roaring Forties, Australian officials said. The Viarsa 1 will now be escorted to the port of Cape Town by the Australian and South African vessels, a voyage expected to take seven days. Meanwhile, in Canberra, talks with the Uruguayan government are taking place. Federal Fisheries Minister, Senator Ian Macdonald, said that a productive meeting between Australian and Uruguayan officials occurred this morning. “The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr. Michael Taylor, this morning met with Uruguayan Ambassador, His Excellency Pedro Mo Amaro to discuss the current situation,” Senator Macdonald said. “It is clear that there is a prima facie case of the Viarsa breaching international, Australian and Uruguayan laws.” The Uruguayan Ambassador agreed that illegal fishing is of serious concern for both countries and that Uruguay, as the flag state, would cooperate to ensure that the Viarsa is brought to account.
British Fisheries patrol vessel Dorada shadows the Viarsa 1. (Photo courtesy Australian Customs)“The strong supportive enforcement response, which includes cooperation from South Africa and the UK, is an indication of just how seriously the international community views these alleged offences and is a demonstration that we can work together to combat illegal fishing,” Senator Macdonald said.Faced by such a show of international unity on the high seas, we expect that the Master of the Viarsa should comply with directions to follow the Australian patrol vessel to an appropriate port. Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, confirmed that he is aware that a Uruguayan official is aboard the Viarsa. Until there is a full investigation, said Ellison, "We cannot speculate on the involvement of the Uruguayan scientific observer who is on board the Viarsa. The observer is only one of a crew that consists mainly of Uruguayan, Spanish and Chilean nationals." Senator Ellison thanked South African and British governments for their assistance and praised the work of Australian officials, who worked day and night, across time zones, to coordinate the arrival of the vessels from South Africa and the Falkland Islands.
Patagonian toothfish, seen on restaurant menus as Chilean sea bass, is a slow growing, deep ocean species in danger of extinction from poaching. (Photo courtesy TRAFFIC)The dangerous chase through the Southern Ocean with the vessels skirting icebergs points up the lengths to which pirate fishermen will go to cash in on the lucrative toothfish trade.Marine conservationists warn that the toothfish could become commercially extinct within five years if illegal fishing is not curbed. Uruguay has increased the capture of toothfish over the past five years with catches climbing from 163 metric tons in 1997 to 5,000 tons in 2001. Almost all of that catch is taken in high seas areas beyond Uruguay’s national waters, according to a January 2003 report from the wildlife trade watchdog organization TRAFFIC South America. Anita Sancho, coauthor of the report says, "there is little doubt that Patagonian toothfish stocks are rapidly declining and urgent action is needed to ensure the sustainability of this vulnerable species and the secure the future of the legitimate industry that depends on it." TRAFFIC produced a comprehensive 2001 report on the toothfish trade, online at: http://www.traffic.org/news/antarctrade.html |
