Viarsa Media

Archive News

• AAP General News, 6 November 2005 - Fed govt should give Viarsa back, says lawyer for captain
  "The federal government should hand back the impounded Uruguayan vessel Viarsa 1 after its captain and crew were found not guilty of illegal fishing, the captain's lawyer says."...

• Asia Africa Intelligence Wire, 7 November 2005 - Viarsa captain praises justice system
  "For fishing boat captain Ricardo Mario Ribot Cabrera the world's longest sea chase may have been his final voyage.  But he's far from bitter about the two-year illegal fishing case which has stranded him in Australia for the past two years.  The 58-year-old Uruguayan and his four shipmates were cleared on Friday of poaching Australian fish stocks, ending a two-year legal battle that cost the Australian government millions of dollars."...

• News.com.au, 21 December 2004 - Toothfish 'pirates' must remain
  "The captain and crew from an alleged pirate fishing boat caught after the longest maritime chase in Australian history, will spend their second Christmas in Perth after a judge yesterday ruled it too risky to let them leave."...

• News24.com, South Africa, 2 December 2004 - Jury fails in 'poaching trial'
  "Perth - A jury trying five crew of a Uruguayan fishing boat accused of poaching in Australia's Antarctic waters was dismissed on Thursday after failing to reach a verdict despite four days of deliberation at the end of a nine-week trial."...

• News.com, Australia, 2 December 2004 - Hung jury in fishermen trial
  "The jury in the nine-week trial of five crew members of the alleged illegal fishing boat Viarsa 1 was dismissed in Perth today after failing to reach a verdict despite almost four days of deliberations"...

• News.com, Australia, 25 February 2004 - Pirate link to sale of seized toothfish
  "...About 95 tonnes of the toothfish removed from the former Uruguayan-flagged Viarsa 1 after the longest chase in Australian maritime history in August was sold for an estimated $1 million...the buyer was Mauritius-based processor Thalassa Exports, a company often used by vessels suspected of toothfish piracy."...

Viarsa (2003-2005)

 8 Chase Photos

Maya V (2004)

Apache (2004)

Fishing Vessel Viarsa1 in the Southern Ocean
(photo courtesy Australian Customs)

• MercoPress, Uruguay, 18 May 2004 - Chilean Fisherman Free to Return Home
  "A third application to the Supreme Court of Western Australia has seen a Chilean fisherman arrested aboard the Viarsa I allowed to return home before he faces trial in October."...

• MercoPress, Uruguay, 21 April 2004 - Viarsa 1 Officers Launch New Bid to Leave Australia
  ...Mr Laskaris said Navalmar considered it had invested time and money in the defense of the men, and bail of $AUD 20,000, and gave the first indication that Navalmar was sticking to its guns regarding how much pull Australian law could have against International law for offences committed inside an Exclusive Economic Zone...

• News.com.au, Australia, March 19, 2004 - "Alleged toothfish pirate captain denies charges"
  THE captain and senior crew of the alleged toothfish pirate vessel Viarsa 1, captured after the longest chase in Australian maritime history, have denied charges of illegal fishing..

• The Australian, Australia, February 25, 2004 - "Fishers warn on toothfish case"
  A legal challenge ... must be quashed to send a message to other pirates...

• MercoPress, Uruguay, February 25, 2004 - "Viarsa 1 Owners Sue Australian Government"
  Owners of the Viarsa 1 have alleged the boarding of their ship was unlawful...

• ABC Online, Australia, February 25, 2004 - "Toothfish challenge highlights poaching threat"

• MercoPress, Uruguay, December 19, 2003 - "Viarsa trial postponed"

• Media Release - Australian Toothfish Industry, November 27, 2003 - "New Government plans to deter Toothfish Terrorists welcomed by Australian Industry"

• ABC Online, Australia, November 26, 2003 - "Tough new penalties for illegal fishing operations"

• Reuters, AlertNet, UK, November 26, 2003 - "Australia boosts fines for illegal foreign fishers"

• The Age, Australia, November 24, 2003 - "France, Australia friends again"

• Joint Ministerial Media Release, Australia, November 24, 2003 - "Maritime agreement sends a strong message to illegal fishing operators"

• ABC Online - 7:30 Report, Australia, November 17, 2003 - "Fishing crews do battle with toothfish pirates"

• Ministerial Media Release, Australia, November 4, 2003 - "Four-pronged attack on illegal fishing"

• MercoPress, Uruguay, November 4, 2003 - "Viarsa crew must stay in Australia, says magistrate"

• News24.com, South Africa, November 3, 2003 - "Big brother eyes fishing"

• ROGUES GALLERY, October, 2003 - "The new face of IUU fishing for toothfish"

• News24.com, South Africa, October 31, 2003 - "Poachers lose bid to go home"

• Seafood.com, October 31, 2003 - "COLTO Operators Release Report Accusing Major Companies of Toothfish Poaching"

• Straits Times, Singapore, October 28, 2003 - "Aussie black-box plan to curb illegal fishing"

• TerraDaily, October 28, 2003 - "Australia hails Indonesia's presence at Antarctic fishing forum"

• The Advertiser, Australia, October 22, 2003 - "Poacher's prized catch up for sale"

• The Australian, Australia, October 22, 2003 - "Toothfish for Sale"

• The Sunday Times, Australia, October 15, 2003 - "95 Tonnes of Toothfish Unloaded from Viarsa"

• Ministerial Media Release, Australia, 15 October, 2003 - "More fish for tenderers to sink their teeth into"

• SARTMA.com, South Atlantic Remote Territories, October 12, 2003 - "Viarsa1: 5 Crew Charged and Bailed"

• The details on the Viarsa crew's court appearance in Perth Magistrates Court, Perth, Australia, 10 October, 2003

• ABC Online, Australia, 10 October, 2003 - "Viarsa crew granted bail"

• Australian Fisheries Management Authority -Media Release, 10 October, 2003 - "Five charged with illegal fishing in Australia's sub-Antarctic waters"

• Ministerial Media Release, 10 October, 2003 - "Viarsa crewmembers charged"

• The Age, Australia, 10 October, 2003 - "Five on Viarsa charged over toothfish"

• MercoPress, Uruguay, 5 October, 2003 - "Uruguay's toothfish quota at risk"

• Australian Customs Service, 3 October, 2003 - "Seizure ends marathon high seas chase"

• News.com, Australia, 3 October, 2003 - "Toothfish boat arrives in WA"

• Reuters, 2 October, 2003 - "Seized Uruguayan Boat Brought to Australia"

• COLTO Media Release, 2 October, 2003 - "COLTO offers assistance and information to Uruguayan Government Inquiry on toothfish pirate pursuit of Viarsa1"

• ABC Online, Australia, 2 October, 2003 - "Alleged poacher Viarsa due in Fremantle tomorrow"

• Mail & Guardian Online, Africa, 2 October, 2003 - "Uruguayan 'pirate' trawler to arrive in Australia for probe"

• MercoPress, Uruguay, South Atlantic's News Agency, 1 October, 2003 - ""Viarsa1" is not a "pirate vessel""

• MercoPress, Uruguay, South Atlantic's News Agency, 26 September, 2003 - "COLTO is a Commonwealth organization"

• SARTMA.com, South Atlantic Remote Territories, September 22, 2003 - "Successful Legal Toothfish Marketing: Consumers Need to Get Involved"
  Seabird-friendly Toothfish could be marketed in the way that Dolphin-friendly Tuna is...

• MercoPress, Uruguay, South Atlantic's News Agency, 14 September, 2003 - ""Viarsa1" scientist in Montevideo"

• Hobart Mercury, Australia, 14 September, 2003 - "Tasmanian's chilling chase on the high seas"

• News.com, Australia, 12 September, 2003 - "Toothfish boat leaves for Australia"

• Reuters, UK, 12 September, 2003 - "Australia Frees Uruguay Official from Seized Boat"

• MercoPress, South Atlantic's News Agency, 11 September, 2003 - "Australia releases Viarsa1 observer"

• News.com, Australia, 11 September, 2003 - "Uruguay helps with toothfish row"

• ABC News Online, Australia, 11 September, 2003 - "Authorities release toothfish ship's scientific observer"

• Ministerial Media Release (Australia), 11 September, 2003 - "Viarsa and Southern Supporter steaming to Australia"

• The Mercury, South Africa, 9 September, 2003 - "Seas 'need greater protection'"

• Seafood.com, 9 September, 2003 - "Uruguay still trying to retrieve Viarsa1 Observer"

• Australian Customs Service, 8 September, 2003 - "Customs contingent leader describes Viarsa boarding"
  Customs contingent leader Steve Duffy has spoken about the boarding of the Viarsa and the hot pursuit of the vessel, allegedly detecting fishing illegally in Australia's waters.
  In a satellite phone call from the Southern Supporter, he describes events leading up to the boarding and how it was carried out.
  The Southern Supporter and Viarsa have now been refuelled and reprovisioned in preparation for their journey to Fremantle, Western Australia.

• Seafood.com, 8 September, 2003 - "Austral Fisheries Considers Private Effort for Aerial Surveillance of Toothfish Poachers"

• news.com, Australia, 8 September, 2003 - "'Poacher' boat's transfer stalled"

• The Advertiser, Australia, 8 September, 2003 - "Plea to free toothfish boat detainee rejected"

• Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia, 7 September, 2003 - "Toothfish boat crew member falls ill"

• News24.com, South Africa, 7 September, 2003 - "Viarsa capture 'a warning'"

• Newsday.com, U.S., 7 September, 2003 - "Australia refuses to release Uruguayan"

• SARTMA.com, 5 September, 2003 - "Landfall - Southern Supporter and Poacher Reach Cape Town"

• MercoPress, South Atlantic's News Agency, 4 September, 2003 - ""Viarsa 1" : Congressional Hearing"

• SABC News, South Africa, 3 September, 2003 - "SA helps Australians with suspected poachers"

• SARTMA.com, 3 September, 2003 - "Southern Supporter and Viarsa Pass Gough Island"

• iAfrica.com, 3 September, 2003 - "SA escorts crack team to poacher ship"

• AllAfrica.com, 1 September, 2003 - "Fish Poaching Costs SA R3bn in Lost Revenue"

• WWF-SA, South Africa, 1 September, 2003 - "WWF-SA lauds South Africa's role in the seizure of the Viarsa"

• The Star, Africa, 1 September, 2003 - "Seized vessel won't enter SA waters"

• The Advertiser, Australia, 1 September, 2003 - "Relief crew flies out"

• The Australian, Australia, 31 August, 2003 - "Navy to escort fugitive trawler"

• The Age, Australia, 31 August, 2003 - "Fish officer among crew on Viarsa"

• Business Day, South Africa, 31 August, 2003 - "SA arms enforce high-seas justice"

• USA Today, 30 August, 2003 - "Australians nab suspected illegal fishing boat after 4,000-mile chase"

• Channel4News, UK, 30 August, 2003 - "All washed up"

• The Daily Telegraph, Australia, 29 August, 2003 - "Uruguay wants control of poachers"
  URUGUAY demanded jurisdiction over the trawler being steered to Cape Town ... "We are very troubled by the pointed disregard for Uruguayan authority, which is inappropriate behaviour. We are troubled by the affront to Uruguayan authority," ...

• Canada Newswire, Canada, 29 August, 2003 - "WWF-Canada urges more action by Canada to curb the demand for Chilean Sea Bass"

• ABC Online, Australia, 29 August, 2003 - "Diplomatic Row Erupts Over Renegade Trawler"
  Uruguay has called on the Australian Government to release a scientific observer who was on board the Uruguyan-flagged trawler Viarsa, seized yesterday over its suspected illegal catch of Patagonian toothfish...

• The Straits Times, Singapore, 29 August, 2003 - "Poachers nabbed after 20-day sea chase"

• News24, South Africa, 29 August, 2003 - "Fate of fish, crew undecided"

• COLTO Media Release, 28 August, 2003 - "High Praise for Governments in Toothfish Wars"

• SBS World News, 28 August, 2003 - "Canberra defends epic sea chase"

• Arab News, Saudi Arabia, 28 August, 2003 - "Editorial: Protecting Basic Resources"

• New Scientist.com, U.K., 28 August, 2003 - "Suspected toothfish pirates finally caught"

• The Washington Times, 28 August, 2003 - "Australia captures toothfish poachers"

• ABC Radio Australia, 28 August, 2003 - "Australian Government justifies cost of illegal fishing boat chase"

• SABC News, 28 August, 2003 - "Viarsa crew members escorted to Cape Town"

• Joint Ministerial Media Release (Australia), August 28, 2003 - "Viarsa is boarded"

• Merco Press, South Atlantic's News Agency, August 28, 2003 - "Viarsa 1 detained and escorted to South Africa"

• ABC Online, August 28, 2003 - "21 Day Viarsa Chase Ends"

• SARTMA.com, August 28, 2003 - "Viarsa1 - The Epic Chase Ends"

• news.com, August 28, 2003 - "'Toothfish poaching' boat arrested"

• Australian Customs, August 28, 2003 - "Customs and Fisheries officers board Viarsa1"

• Independent News, UK, August 28, 2003 - "Australian's net poachers after 4,600-mile ocean chase"

• SARTMA, August 27, 2003 - "Australia Has Prima Facie Case Against VIARSA1"

• News24.com, South Africa, August 27, 2003 - "Pursuers surround Viarsa 1"

• ABC Online, August 27, 2003 - "Armed officials to board toothfish poacher"

• Ministerial Media Release (Australia), August 27, 2003 - "High Farce on the High Seas"

• Joint Ministerial Media Release (Australia), August 27, 2003 - "Is there a Uruguayan Government official on board Viarsa?"

• Joint Ministerial Media Release (Australia), August 27, 2003 - "Diplomatic negotiations continue for apprehension of Viarsa"

• SARTMA, August 27, 2003 - "Caught in the Net"

• news.com, August 27, 2003 - "African tug catches toothfish boat"

• Merco Press, South Atlantic's News Agency, August 27, 2003 - "Viarsa 1 is close to capture"

• Australian Customs Service, August 27, 2003 - "South African and UK Vessels close in on Viarsa1"

• Joint Ministerial Media Release (Australia), August 24, 2003 - "The Viarsa has admitted who it is"

• COLTO Media Release, August 14, 2003 - "Was the Uruguayan Government Tricked? COLTO alleges toothfish pirates falsify satellite vessel monitoring position data"

• COLTO Comunicado de Prensa, 14/08/2003 - "¿El gobierno uruguayo engañado? COLTO alega que los piratas del “toothfish” falsifican los datos del control satelital de posicionamiento de un pesquero"

• Joint Ministerial Media Release (Australia), August 13, 2003 - "Hot pursuit of fishing vessel continues as Australia renews call for Uruguay to cooperate"

• COLTO Media Release, August 12, 2003 - "COLTO seeks support of Uruguayan Government to halt flight of suspected illegal toothfish boat"

• COLTO Comunicado de Prensa, 12/08/2003 - "COLTO solicita el apoyo del gobierno uruguayo para impedir la fuga de un pesquero del bacalao de profundidad ("toothfish") que estaría operando en forma ilegal"

• Joint Ministerial Media Release (Australia), August 12, 2003 - "Australian patrol in pursuit of suspected illegal fishing vessel in sub-Antarctic waters"

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