Fisheries partnership stopping illegal fishing at its source
In July and August 2024, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) in partnership with Indonesia’s Directorate-General of Surveillance and Control of Marine and Fishery Resources successfully delivered two educational workshops to fishing communities in Oesapa and Papela in the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia.
More than 300 fishers attended the workshops, which are designed to educate participants on the risks associated with taking part in illegal fishing operations. The aim of the workshops is to proactively deter fishers from undertaking illegal fishing ventures in the future. Key messages included detail about Australian and Indonesian maritime boundaries, the importance of sustainably managed fisheries, risk to human life and the legal consequences of illegal fishing.
For many years, AFMA has delivered public information campaigns in key foreign ports as an effective tool for addressing illegal fishing at its source. In 2022 and 2023, AFMA delivered education to fishers in the island of Rote, as well as major fishing ports in Kupang, Indonesia. More than 750 fishers and community members have been engaged through the recent workshops.
Australia’s well managed fisheries and highly protected marine parks continue to be an attractive location for illegal fishing operators due to the abundance of target catch and proximity to Indonesia. Recently, there has been a notable increase of Indonesian fishing vessels intercepted for unlawful fishing within the Australian Fishing Zone. This increase is attributable to various social and economic pressures as well as the sustained high prices for sea cucumber (trepang) and shark fin.
The detection of Indonesian vessels deep inside Australian waters poses a significant maritime risk including unauthorised maritime arrivals, and biosecurity risks which can have serious implications for our well protected marine environments, and commercial, recreational fishing and aquaculture industries.
Mr Justin Bathurst, General Manager, Fisheries Operations reinforced the importance of building strong relationships with our Indonesian partners as well as local fishing communities to ensure fewer Indonesians venture into Australian waters.
“Public information campaigns are an important ongoing preventive tool within a multifaceted strategy developed by AFMA to deliver important information directly to Indonesian fishing communities.
“These workshops complement tough enforcement action by Australian authorities and support Indonesian fishers to make more informed decisions about their fishing activity. They also reinforce the message that anyone choosing to fish illegally in Australian waters risks having their vessel seized and destroyed. They may also be detained and prosecuted in accordance with Australian law,” said Mr Bathurst.
Delivery of the workshops was supported by Jakarta-based staff from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Border Force, Indonesian Police, and local Indonesian government.
