Twenty convicted for illegal fishing in Kuri Bay
This is a joint media release between the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
Twenty Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 August 2024.
On Tuesday 6 August 2024, following a report from a local business, Australian authorities located, intercepted and apprehended four Indonesian vessels fishing illegally near Kuri Bay in north-west Western Australia. The vessels were all observed in the same area within close proximity of each other.
Australian authorities seized more than 700 kilograms of sea cucumber (trepang), 2,350 kilograms of salt (used for preserving catch), four kilograms of shark fin, four kilograms of sea urchin and a large quantity of fishing equipment from the four vessels.
Twenty fishers were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation, with the remaining 13 crew directed outside of the Australian exclusive economic zone aboard one vessel. Three vessels were subsequently destroyed at-sea in accordance with Australian law.
All 20 fishers detained were subsequently charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth). The masters of two of the vessels were each released on $2000 recognisance orders on an undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of four years.
Two fishers identified as repeat offenders were each fined $4,000. Outstanding warrants were executed arising from previous similar offending and they will serve 15 and 75 days imprisonment respectively.
The 16 remaining fishers were each released on $2000 recognisance orders on an undertaking to be of good behaviour for periods ranging between 18 months to two years.
The fishers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia.
AFMA, in partnership with Maritime Border Command (MBC), a multi-agency task force including Australian Border Force and Australian Defence Force, 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:
“Australia’s healthy fisheries resources remain an attractive target for illegal fishing operators.
“These court outcomes demonstrate the seriousness of illegal fishing and the impact it has on our fisheries and marine parks.
“The message is clear. AFMA and our partner agencies remain focused on detecting and apprehending illegal fishers. Those caught fishing illegally in Australian waters risk prosecution as well as seizure and destruction of their vessel.”
Quotes attributable to Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter:
“The efforts of MBC in support of AFMA as the lead agency for illegal fishing enables surveillance, patrol and response capabilities to combat illegal activity and threats to Australia's border.
“Our message to unauthorised foreign fishers is simple: Australia does not tolerate illegal activity in our waters. We will intercept you, you will lose your catch, your equipment and possibly even your vessel.”
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
