FREEMANTLE, Australia, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A Uruguayan trawler suspected of carrying a load of endangered Patagonian toothfish was brought back to a west Australian port Friday.
The event ended a marathon 21-day ocean chase by Australian customs vessel Southern Supporter, reported Merco Press.
The Viarsa I, carrying a crew of 39 and its precious cargo, was escorted into the port of Freemantle by the Southern Supporter. The trawler had been pursued for 3,840 miles through iceberg-strewn waters in the Southern and South Atlantic oceans.
The crew, believed to be Uruguayan, Chilean and Spanish nationals, were taken into custody for questioning before possible charges are laid against them. They face fines and possible jail sentences if convicted of poaching and fleeing.
Officials said the Viarsa was carrying almost 85 tons of toothfish worth about $1 million.
The Patagonian Toothfish lives mainly in Antarctic waters, reaching six feet in length. Over-fishing has made it increasingly rare because it does not breed until it is at least 10 years old.
