Illegal fishing patrol severely impaired by Rudd asylum seeker crisis

As the Oceanic Viking enters its fifth week of being a hold for asylum seekers, reports of a significant effect on Australia’s illegal fishing operations are beginning to appear.

It has been reported that the Rudd Government is refusing to provide details of the discovery of 130 kilometres of illegal fishing nets in the Southern Ocean as this would highlight that the key patrol vessel is inactive off the coast of Indonesia rather than in the Southern Ocean detecting illegal fishing operations.

Coalition spokesman for Fisheries, Senator Richard Colbeck said the report pointed to the farce of the Prime Minister’s border protection policies.

“There is little doubt the use of one of Australia’s key illegal fishing patrol vessels, the Oceanic Viking, to house asylum seekers is hampering efforts to stop illegal fishing,” Senator Colbeck said.

“While the ship is anchored off the port of Tanjung Pinang in Indonesia, foreign poachers will be rubbing their hands in delight knowing Australia has left their Southern Ocean fisheries unguarded.

“Moreover, it will be clear to the poachers when – and if – the Oceanic Viking returns to southern waters as it has now become an object of international media attention on a daily basis.

“So much for the covert purpose of the ship, allowing it to catch poachers unawares.

Senator Colbeck said the Southern Ocean fishing season is at its busiest over the summer months.

“Australia needs its ‘cop’ on the beat at this critical time,” Senator Colbeck said.

“It was the Howard Government which originally employed the resources of the Oceanic Viking with the main intent of protecting Australia’s Southern Ocean fisheries.

“At no time was the vessel sought to be used as a hold for asylum seekers.”
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry