Fed: Aust vindicated by court on holding fishing boat - govt
Fisheries Minister IAN MACDONALD says Australia has been vindicated by an internationalcourt decision for holding a Russian boat allegedly caught fishing illegally.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has found by 19 votes to two thatRussia's concern about whether Australia had complied with rules of the sea in holdingthe Volga and its crew, was well-founded.
But the tribunal has also deemed it reasonable for Australia to demand a security of$1.9 million for the release of the boat pending an Australian court case.
The Volga was one of two Russian fishing boats allegedly involved in catching protectedPatagonian toothfish near Herde Island in the Southern Ocean in February.
After Australia imposed a $3.3 million bond on the Volga, Russia appealed to the internationaltribunal to set a bond of no more than $500,000 for the ship and crew.
Mr MACDONALD has told ABC radio the government's pleased the tribunal has agreed withAustralia's decision to release the boat to its owners on a bond for the boat's full value.
But he says it's disappointed the Russian government entered into the action.
The case comes before the courts in February next year.
The Volga's crew of three left Australia last week.
AAP RTV dep/rcg/jmt
KEYWORD: VOLGA (CANBERRA)
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