Fed: Lena to become dive wreck
PERTH, Dec 20 AAP - A Russian-owned boat seized after its crew was caught poachingthe protected Patagonian toothfish from Australian waters in February is to be sunk fora dive wreck.
The 55 metre Lena was towed today from Fremantle to Bunbury, 180km south of Perth,where it will be stripped and sunk next year.
The boat was confiscated by the commonwealth after its skipper and two crew memberswere convicted and fined $100,000 for illegally fishing 80 tonnes - or $1 million worth- of Patagonian toothfish.
Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald said today the boat would become a valuable tourist attraction.
"Today's announcement also sends an unequivocal message to pirate fishermen that theAustralian government will do everything in its power to prevent seized boats from everoperating illegally in our waters again," Senator Macdonald said.
AAP sd/cjh/de
KEYWORD: LENA
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