An international conservation organisation has praised the Royal Australian Navy for its "strong naval action" against foreign vessels poaching Patagonian tooth fish in Australian waters around Heard and McDonald Islands.

The organisation is the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources( CCAMLR)

The Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Robert Hill and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Mark Vaile, told of the plaudits for the Navy in a joint media statement which followed a CCAMLR meeting in Hobart.

HMAS NEWCASTLE…to the Antarctic to arrest Poachers

The Ministers said the Federal Government had secured international support for increased action against illegal fishing in Antarctic waters.

"We are pleased CCAMLR has adopted a number of Australian proposals to help stop illegal fishing around the Antarctic continent," Senator Hill said.

"The high levels of illegal fishing pose a real threat to the Patagonian toothfish.

"Illegal fishing is also responsible for the death of large numbers of sea birds, including endangered albatross.

Mr Vaile said the illegal fishing was an issue that united both Australia's fishing community and conservationists.

"Illegal fishing not only affects the vulnerable environment of Antarctic waters but ultimately the livelihoods of those fishing operators abiding by the rules.

"We will also continue to pursue illegal operators that enter Australian waters. "I was pleased that CCAMLR members commended Australia for its strong naval action to apprehend foreign fishing vessels allegedly operating illegally in our waters around Heard and Mc Donald Islands.

"Our enforcement and surveillance efforts will be increased by the commitment we have made to provide just under $16 million over four years to boost surveillance operations," Mr Vaile said.

RAN ships ANZAC and NEWCASTLE have made several trips to the Antarctic and arrested three poaching vessels.

Penalties of up to $1 million have been handed down in Western Australian courts as a result of the arrests.

By Graham Davis