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Australia fits Antarctic research ship with machine guns
ABC Radio Australia News
29th June 2004
An Antarctic research ship has been fitted with machine guns as Australia prepares to step up its policing of the Southern Ocean.
The Aurora Australis will be used by customs patrols on the lookout for poachers illegally fishing stocks of Patagonian toothfish.
By the end of the year customs hopes to transfer the weapons to a permanent patrol boat but Justice Minister Chris Ellison says for now, the Aurora is suitable for the job.
He said: "In this case we do require a vessel of the dimensions of the Aurora Australis to go down into the ice pack.
"And of course the 50-calibre machines guns, which it has mounted, we believe send a very clear signal to anyone who's engaged in illegal fishing that we're very serious about what we're doing."
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