Australia
is to step up the frequency of “armed enforcement patrols”
around Heard and McDonald Islands in the Southern Ocean as part
of a blitz on fish poachers seeking the Patagonian toothfish.
The Federal Fisheries Minister, Senator Ian Macdonald, said the
Commonwealth Government has issued a stern warning to illegal
fishermen and the nations who support them with Cabinet endorsing
a plan to step up the attack on criminal activities in our southern
oceans.
“Cabinet agreed to an ongoing intensive campaign to protect
our fisheries around Heard Island and McDonald Island, which will
include the use of armed enforcement patrols and an increase in
frequency of patrols in the area,” Senator Macdonald said.
“These islands, 4000kms to the south-west of Australia, are
the home of the valuable Patagonian toothfish and the ongoing
and sustainability of the fishery is essential at both a commercial
and environmental level.
Senator Macdonald’s office declined for “operational
reasons” to say who would carry out the “armed enforcement
patrols”.
The Minister also announced that Australian authorities including
the RAN and Coastwatch had been busy in waters north of Australia
apprehending since January 1, 14 Indonesian fishing boats were
found inside the Australian Fishing Zone.
The 14 craft (as at February 11) are in addition to the 111 apprehended
in 2002.
In one 24-hour period earlier this month five were held.
“Perfect weather conditions to our north have led to this
sudden increase in illegal fishing activity in the AFZ,”
he said.
He said HMAS Whyalla intercepted two motorised vessels 63 nautical
miles inside the AFZ.
Each had a crew of five and one was found to be carrying 3kgs
of shark fin.
“In the early hours of Wednesday (Feb 4) a Coastwatch aerial
patrol spotted another vessel in the same area (near Arnhem Land).
“HMAS Whyalla was contacted again and intercepted the boat
48 nautical miles inside the AFZ.
“On inspection of the vessel 10kg of shark fin was discovered
and six crew.”
The Minister said that when a fourth vessel was boarded 15nms
inside the AFZ 10kg of fresh shark was found.
“It is obvious that these are shark fishermen who participate
in the barbaric practice of finning sharks while they are still
alive and then throwing the carcass overboard,” Senator Macdonald
said.
HMAS Gladstone found yet another vessel 17 nautical miles inside
the zone near Cape Wessel. It had six crew, 4kg of shark fin and
45kg of fish pieces.
HMAS Wollongong was also in the action.
By February 11, four more boats had been apprehended.
“Once again I would like to congratulate the men and women
of Coastwatch, the Australia Fisheries Management and the RAN
on an excellent job,” Senator Macdonald said.
