Viarsa and Southern Supporter Steaming Back to Australia

The Viarsa and the Southern Supporter have left the waters near Cape Town and commenced the long journey back to Fremantle.

The Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Ian Macdonald said that the two vessels had finished being refuelled and re-provisioned and the necessary crew changes had occurred.

"A Royal Australian Navy security party have relieved the Customs and Fisheries officers who were involved in the 21-day, 3,900 nautical mile, chase of the Viarsa since it was first sighted in Australia’s waters on 7 August 2003," Senator Macdonald said.

"The Australian and Uruguayan Governments have been in constant diplomatic discussions since the Viarsa was sighted in Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone around Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

"The Uruguayan Government has been assisting the Australian authorities with their enquiries into the matters surrounding the Viarsa’s activities.

"Uruguay and Australia have very good diplomatic relations and will continue working together as we have a common interest in combating illegal fishing and conserving and managing marine living resources in Antarctic waters.

"Uruguay requested the release of their Observer, who was on board the Viarsa, so that he can assist the Uruguayan authorities with their enquiries concerning the Viarsa.

"The Observer has now disembarked the Viarsa and is in the process of returning to Uruguay in the company of an Australian Fisheries officer who will be present when the Observer is interviewed by the Uruguayan authorities."

The Australian Government has received written assurances from the Uruguayan Foreign Minister that the Observer will be available in Australia to assist with investigations and would cooperate fully with Australian authorities.

The Observer has handed over all the documents that were in his possession to Australian Fisheries officers and these are being held on the Southern Supporter.

"These documents will remain in Australian custody until such time as they are no longer needed for any investigation or legal proceedings. Certified copies will be provided to the Uruguayan Government," Senator Macdonald said.

"The Viarsa and the Southern Supporter are expected to arrive in Fremantle early next month where the Australian Fisheries Management Authority will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the detection of the Viarsa in Australia’s waters."

For further information, Philip Connole on 02 6277 7270 or 0417 063 605.

AFFA 03/191M 11 September 2003