France and Australia plan to introduce joint policing of fishing in their waters in the Southern Ocean.
The enforcement treaty will build on an agreement for joint surveillance now being considered by the Australian Parliament.
The French Navy would help to control fishing in Australia's 200-mile zone in the sub-Antarctic area around Heard Island and the McDonald Islands.
France and Australia will share information and intelligence from planes and ships as well as from remote sensors and satellites.
They will also support each other's ships in pursuit of boats suspected of illegal fishing.
The Australian Parliament's Treaties Committee, looking at the agreement, has been told that beyond joint surveillance, Australia and France are preparing another treaty for joint policing.
Australian diplomat Dr Greg French says Australian vessels "could conduct enforcement operations against illegal vessels within the French zone and French vessels within the Australian zone".
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200407/s1161794.htm
Australia has responsibility for protecting almost 1/9th of the worlds oceans. So any help is appreciated!
The enforcement treaty will build on an agreement for joint surveillance now being considered by the Australian Parliament.
The French Navy would help to control fishing in Australia's 200-mile zone in the sub-Antarctic area around Heard Island and the McDonald Islands.
France and Australia will share information and intelligence from planes and ships as well as from remote sensors and satellites.
They will also support each other's ships in pursuit of boats suspected of illegal fishing.
The Australian Parliament's Treaties Committee, looking at the agreement, has been told that beyond joint surveillance, Australia and France are preparing another treaty for joint policing.
Australian diplomat Dr Greg French says Australian vessels "could conduct enforcement operations against illegal vessels within the French zone and French vessels within the Australian zone".
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200407/s1161794.htm
Australia has responsibility for protecting almost 1/9th of the worlds oceans. So any help is appreciated!