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Aussie Navy authorised to shoot illegal NT fishermen
AUSTRALIAN navy vessels have been granted extraordinary new powers to fire directly at illegal foreign fishermen caught in Top End waters.Under the new rules of engagement approved by Defence Minister Brendan Nelson this week, navy personnel will be permitted to fire directly to disable a vessel seeking to escape apprehension and threatening sailors in Australian waters. The navy will also be permitted to use tear gas, distraction and long-range acoustic explosives. Sailors can also use capsicum spray to temporarily disable illegal fishermen. Dr Nelson told Parliament on Wednesday he had approved the new rules of engagement to strengthen the Australia's border protection powers. "It is extremely important that anybody who comes to this country seeking to steal our fish and breach our sovereignty knows that they will be met with a very strong, disciplined Royal Australian Navy," he said. "The foreign fishing vessels that are coming to our country are increasingly sophisticated. "They are engaging in activities, which are very dangerous to our personnel and, indeed, to our patrol boats, including using very large sharpened poles, the throwing of missiles and a variety of things that endanger our people." Dr Nelson cited the example of a sailor on HMAS Geelong last year, who was left hanging on to the stern of an illegal fishing vessel after it ignored orders and tried to escape, as being influential in his decision to strengthen the navy's powers. In addition to the strengthened rules of engagement, Dr Nelson told Parliament that a RAAF Orion surveillance aircraft was supporting Australia's border protection efforts. "There is no more important task that is done by the Royal Australian Navy than the protection of Australia's borders," Dr Nelson said. The new rules of engagement are effective immediately. Posted by: Oztralian 2006-12-07 |
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