First Court Appearance – Viarsa1 (2003)

10 October 2003

FIVE CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL FISHING IN AUSTRALIA’S SUB-ANTARCTIC WATERS

Herewith further information from the court appearance in the Perth Magistrates Court, Perth, Western Australia:

Skipper:

Ricardo Mario Ribot CABRERA (58) Uruguayan national – 4 charges under sections 100 and 101 of Australia’s Fisheries Management Act 1991.

Charges include the alleged use of a foreign fishing vessel in the Australian Fishing Zone and the alleged possession of a vessel equipped for fishing.

All charges are under above sections of the Australian Fisheries Management Act 1991.

Senior Officers:

Antonio Garcia PEREZ (40) Spanish national – 4 charges.

Francisco Fernandez OLVEIRA (40) Spanish national – 2 charges.

Jose Gonzalez PEREZ (38) Spanish national – 2 charges.

Crew Member:

Roberto Enrique Reyes GUERRERO (34) Chilean national – 2 charges.

The charges were read but men were not required to enter a plea.

Bail conditions set at $AUD 20,000 and men remanded in custody until the money is paid.

Other bail conditions include surrender of their passports and undertaking not to leave the Perth region.

They are to reappear in court on October 31 2003.

Other Related News
The rest of the crew has been handed over to Australian immigration authorities so arrangements can be made to repatriate as soon as possible.

The Uruguayan observers remains in Perth assisting the Fisheries authorities with their investigations.

10 October 2003