Customs and Royal Australian Navy patrol boats will be able to spend more time on patrol in Australia's northern waters under new arrangements announced today by the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison.

Customs has confirmed a range of Australian civilian vessels have been contracted to assist with towing and transportation arrangements for detained foreign fishing vessels and their crews. Contracts have been issued to the owners or operators of 20 vessels.

Senator Ellison said the charter vessels would be based in the ports of Dampier, Broome, Darwin, Cairns and Townsville.

"They range from large research ships to oil and gas industry resupply vessels and prawn fishing trawlers, all ready to play a part in helping Customs protect Australia's borders," he said.

The number of vessels on call at any one time will vary according to operational availability. They will tow apprehended fishing boats back to Australian ports and transport their crews quickly and safely.

Senator Ellison said the Border Protection Command headquarters in Canberra would co-ordinate the response of the most appropriate vessel following the apprehension of a foreign fishing vessel.

"This will allow Customs and Navy patrol boats to focus on what they do best - patrolling the Australian Fishing Zone and apprehending any boats fishing illegally.

"There will be less of a requirement to spend valuable patrol time towing illegal vessels and their crews back to Australian ports for processing," Senator Ellison said.

The initiative is being funded under the Howard Government's $389 million funding increase for strategies targeting illegal fishing over the next four years.

"The contracting of these vessels sends another strong signal to those poaching in our waters that the Australian Government is taking every step to intercept, apprehend and prosecute them.

"It is also a significant boost to the operational value of the Customs and Navy patrol fleet," Senator Ellison said.

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