MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Authorities call on Spain, Ghana to help identify illegal vessel.

The authorities raised the alarm and called on Spain and Ghana to join their fight against poachers after spotting a vessel suspected of fishing illegally in Australian waters. The Ghanaian flagged fishing vessel had previously been registered in Spain.

"Countries have a clear obligation to ensure that vessels flying their flags operate in a responsible manner and comply with international and Australian laws," said Federal Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald in an official statement.

The vessel, believed to be the Alos, was spotted spotted and photographed on September 20 by the crew of the Southern Champion, fishing near Heard Island and McDonald Islands within Australia's EEZ.

"The Southern Champion's crew observed the vessel hauling demersal longline fishing gear indicating a breach of Australia's Fisheries Management Act 1991," Senator Macdonald said.

"As with many of the vessels fishing illegally, its identification markings were removed," said Senator Macdonald.

Since the Alos was previously Spanish registered, he had asked the Spanish Fisheries minister Miguel Arias Cañete for help in confirming its current ownership and crew details. He also asked Ghana to investigate the vessel's conduct with a view to taking legal action and for the authorities not to issue catch documents that would allow the vessel to sell its load.

The government has notified the 27 member Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). It is asking for the vessel to be denied port access to prevent it offloading its catch or obtaining fresh provisions.

The companies Fisheries Pty Ltd Austral and Newfishing Australia Pty LTD praised the actions of the Southern Champion, which is operated by West Australian-based Austral Fisheries - one of only two commercial operations licensed to take toothfish in Australia's southern territorial waters.

"This incident highlights the value of cooperative action between government and industry to eliminate illegal fishing operators," said Austral chief executive David Carter.

The authorities are looking to put more pressure on CCAMLR member countries - many of which will gather for a meeting in Hobart this month - to stamp out poaching.

According to the estimates released by the Antarctica Australian Division (AAD), between 1995-1996 and 2001-2002 more than 20,350 tonnes of Patagonian toothfish were illegally caught in Australian waters. At AUD 10/kg for processed Patagonian toothfish, the illegal catches represent AUD 300 million "that have been stolen by these pirates."

Source: COLTO/FIS