Top Stories
Motto matches deed


Volume 50, No.4, March 22, 2007
 
BORN FREE: CPO Raymond Macey works hard to free a shovelnose ray that was trapped in a three kilometre long gillnet that HMAS Gascoyne discovered during an Operation Resolute patrol.
 
Navy Minehunter HMAS Gascoyne lived up to her motto “Return to the Sea” when the crew released a number of marine animals back into the ocean after discovering them entangled in a three kilometre gillnet.

Gascoyne came across the net on March 6, while conducting Operation Resolute border patrols.

Coordinated by Border Protection Command, Gascoyne and Australian Customs Vessel Storm Bay responded to a Coastwatch sighting in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

After locating and apprehending an illegal fishing vessel, a further inspection of the area was conducted and a gillnet was found stretching along the ocean floor.

“We managed to haul the massive net onboard Gascoyne and were able to release marine life, which had been trapped and were struggling to break free,” said Lieutenant Commander Max Muller, Commanding Officer HMAS Gascoyne.

“At the end of the day, the final tally of marine life rescued was 22 shovelnose rays, three stingrays and an adult loggerhead turtle,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the crew could not save all the creatures found entangled in the net, as a further nine shovelnose rays were found deceased.”

On March 5, Gascoyne rescued a loggerhead turtle that was tangled in empty plastic bottles and string.