MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Suspicious longliner, tuna loaded under arrest in Montevideo

“Nuevo Atun” while docked in Vigo to undergo safety inspections

Uruguayan authorities this week arrested, and forfeited the cargo of a longliner which docked in Montevideo and allegedly did not have the necessary documentation to prove it was flagged in the Pacific island of Vanuatu.

The 30 meters long "Nuevo Atún" with Spanish crew and YJVA5 registry, had a full hold with 120 tons of tuna and shark fins. The cargo supposedly was to be transhipped to Europe. However the vessel did not have or was unable to show documentation from Vanuatu or the origin of the cargo. Uruguayan Coast Guard authorities informed the Montevideo press that since November they had been tipped about a "stateless" longliner or with a "convenience flag" operating illegally in the south Atlantic. During the routine inspection on board the captain was only able to show "photocopies" of the alleged Vanuatu registry, which supposedly was being processed in the consular office in New York. Uruguayan authorities contacted the Vanuatu office in New York which confirmed that the "Nuevo Atún" was not listed in the Pacific island republic maritime registry. Furthermore a team of inspectors from Uruguay's Fisheries Department was able to confirm that the tuna on board did not comply with international fishing regulations. Following this the "Nuevo Atun" was arrested and the cargo forfeited. According to Uruguayan authorities the vessel and owners could be charged for illegally fishing in Uruguayan waters and for attempting to introduce an undeclared cargo to the country in violation of customs rules. Local representatives of the longliner have promised to come up with the valid, original documents which will be presented to the Judge which has been assigned to the case. Meantime naval authorities will look into the vessel's blue box to check if "Nuevo Atún" fished in Uruguayan waters. The 332 gross tons vessel with the forfeited cargo remains docked in Montevideo under Coast Guard custody since "it's not the first time a "stateless" or pirate vessel tries to escape". "Nuevo Atun" was launched in 1975, refurbished in 2003 and allegedly incorporated under Vanuatu flag last August following a seaworthiness inspection in Vigo, Spain.