International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Abstract

According to the Application, on 7 February 2002 the Volga was boarded by Australian military personnel from a military helicopter on the high seas in the Southern Ocean for alleged illegal fishing in the Australian fishing zone. The vessel was directed by an Australian warship to proceed to Perth, where it is still detained. The crew of the vessel were repatriated to their respective home countries after a period of detention with the exception of three officers, of Spanish nationality, who remain in Perth under court orders. The catch which had been on board the vessel at the time of boarding was sold by the Australian authorities for the amount of AU$ 1,932,579.28. The Australian authorities set the amount of the security for the release of the vessel and the crew in the amount of AU$ 4,177,500.