MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Renegade fishing boat to dock in Uruguay

Authorities in Uruguay have rejected an Australian request for a renegade fishing boat to proceed to the nearest port for inspection.

The Uruguayan-flagged vessel is returning home to be processed under local law.

Federal Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald wants the suspected illegal fishing boat subjected to Australian law but that is not going to happen, the South Americans said.

Uruguayan director of fishing Yamandu Flangini said the boat was not an Australian responsibility.

"It needs to return here because it is Uruguayan and it will be processed under Uruguayan law," Mr Flangini said.

An Australian patrol boat has been in pursuit of the vessel for 17 days after it was discovered in Australian waters.

Over the weekend, Senator McDonald said he wanted the boat to proceed to a port of Australia's choice for inspection and possible prosecution under Australian law.

US helps fight battle against patagonian toothfish poaching

The US has announced that it is to help in the campaign against Patagonian toothfish poaching by stopping all suspect catches from being landed at any of its ports.

As the chase of the suspected Patagonian toothfish pirate, the Viarsa, continues in the Southern Ocean, Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald said that the US had announced on 23 August that it would stop the transfer of any suspicious Patagonian toothfish through its ports.

Australia has warmly welcomed the announcement, especially as the US is one of the biggest markets for toothfish, reports AAP.

Last year alone, poachers harvested an estimated 11,000 tonnes of toothfish. An upmarket restaurant can charge a price of up to USD 50, or AUD 77, for a serving of the fish.

Meanwhile the chase of the Viarsa has entered its 17th day. The Australian patrol boat, the Southern Supporter, began chasing the Viarsa after it was spotted inside Australia's fishing zone around the Heard and McDonald islands. The chase has now been joined by a South African boat, the SA Agulhas.

The ships are now about 1,100 nautical miles south and slightly to the west of Cape Town, South Africa.

"The Southern Supporter reports that it is still encountering small icebergs," Senator Ellison said. "Together with winds of up to 50 knots, it makes for a dangerous and uncomfortable environment."

Source: MP/FIS