Judge to determine fate of seized anti-sealing ship

A court hearing will be held next week to determine what will happen with a ship seized after a protest against Canada's East Coast seal hunt.

The Farley Mowat has been tied up in Sydney harbour since it was seized off Cape Breton on April 12over alleged violations of the Fisheries Act.

On May 9, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will ask a provincialcourt judge to release the vessel if the owner, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, posts a $50,000 bond.

The head of the anti-sealing society, Paul Watson, has said he won't pay any amount to get the 50-year-old vessel back.

DFO alleges the Farley Mowat threatened a coast guard ship by getting too close to seal hunters in late March. Its captain and first mate are charged with approaching within one-half nautical mile of a seal hunt without a permit.

Capt. Alex Cornelissen and first mate Peter Hammarstedt have been released on bail.

Their lawyer, Guy Lafosse,appeared in a Sydney courtroom Thursday to set another court date. He said his clients will plead not guilty to the charges.