Australia Asks Ghana For Help

AUSTRALIA has called on Ghana and Spain to help it catch a boat spotted illegally fishing in its icy territorial waters near remote Heard Island.

Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald said the boat was thought to be the Ghanaian flagged Alos, formerly registered under the Spanish flag.

It was spotted in by radar late last month and had been photographed by an Australian fishing boat, the Southern Champion.

Heard Island is an Australian possession in the sub-Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean.

"The Southern Champion's crew observed the vessel hauling demersal longline fishing gear, indicating a breach of Australia's fisheries management act," Mr Macdonald said.

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

Spain had been asked to confirm the boat's owners and crew, while Ghana had been asked to investigate and ensure its catch is not sold, he said.

"Countries have a clear obligation to ensure that vessels flying their flags operate in a responsible manner and comply with international and Australian laws," Mr Macdonald said.

"We have requested Ghana to refrain from issuing catch documents which would allow the trade of any catches from the Alos and to cooperate with Australian authorities to ensure that the vessel is brought to account."

The case follows another high-profile ocean chase for a Uruguayan vessel, the Viarsa, suspected of illegally fishing for the valuable Patagonian toothfish in Australia's territorial waters.

Last week the Viarsa was brought into harbour in Western Australia after its seizure off South Africa.