Eleven illegal fishers found guilty in Darwin Court after dual sea cucumber dredging operations disrupted
Eleven Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in two separate cases at Darwin Local Court on 18 March 2025.
The first case arose from an incident on 23 February 2025, when Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Smith Point, Northern Territory.
Authorities seized 425 kg of sea cucumber, 100 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch, and various fishing equipment including a 50-metre net and a device used to dredge the sea floor.
Four crew members were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessel was seized by the ABF and destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian law.
All fishers were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
One crew member was the subject of two outstanding warrants for similar offending dating back to 2007. He was taken into custody and sentenced to 120 days imprisonment relating to $12,000 in outstanding fines. On the current matter, he entered an $8,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years.
The remaining three crew members were released on $4,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years.
The second case arose from a separate incident on 23 February 2025, when Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Maningrida, Northern Territory.
Authorities seized 900 kg of sea cucumber, 100 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch, and various fishing equipment, including a dredging device.
Seven crew members were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessel was seized by the ABF and destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian law.
All fishers were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
The master of the vessel was released on a $10,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years.
The remaining six crew members were released on $5,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years.
All fishers will be removed from Australia by the ABF and returned to Indonesia at the earliest opportunity.
There have been 143 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since 1 July 2024.
AFMA, in partnership with ABF, continues to target illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters to protect our precious marine resources.
Australian authorities are also using other measures to combat illegal fishing at its source, including the delivery of public information campaigns within Indonesian fishing communities, the distribution of educational material, targeted social media campaigns, and proactive engagement with fishers.
Quotes attributable to AFMA’s General Manager, Fisheries Operations, Mr Justin Bathurst:
“Dredging equipment of this kind causes significant damage to delicate reef systems.
“These court outcomes demonstrate illegal fishing in Australian waters is not worth the risk. Those who continue fishing illegally face seizure of their catch and equipment, destruction of their vessel and significant penalties.
“AFMA and our partner agencies remain focused on investigating and prosecuting illegal fishers found in Australian waters.
"Illegal fishing has severe impacts on our marine ecosystems and natural resources. It is also a significant biosecurity risk to Australia."
Illegal fishing activity in Australian waters can be reported to Australian authorities by contacting CRIMFISH on 1800 274 634 or intelligence@afma.gov.au.
For more information:
Media: media@afma.gov.au or 0437 869 860
www.afma.gov.au
