Two vessels destroyed, 14 guilty of illegal fishing in Torres Strait
This is a joint media release between the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and the Australian Border Force (ABF).
Fourteen (14) Indonesian nationals have pleaded guilty to fishing illegally in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on 5 July 2024.
On Tuesday 18 June 2024 Australian authorities located, intercepted, and apprehended two Indonesian vessels fishing illegally inside the Australian Territorial Sea in the Torres Strait, near Deliverance Island.
The vessels were observed fishing together in a coordinated effort to target Australia's marine resources. Australian authorities seized the vessels along with a substantial quantity of fishing equipment. Both vessels were conveyed to a land-based facility and destroyed by AFMA in accordance with Australian biosecurity requirements.
The fishers were charged with offences against the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 (Cth). Each of the accused fishers pleaded guilty and released on $2,000 recognisance orders on an undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of three (3) years.
AFMA, in partnership with Maritime Border Command, a multi-agency task force which includes 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 are an attractive target for illegal fishing operators.
“These were large vessels equipped with a substantial quantity of fishing equipment. Illegal fishing in these circumstances can significantly impact Australia’s healthy fish stocks.
“AFMA and our partner agencies remain focused on locating, apprehending, and prosecuting illegal fishers. Those caught fishing illegally in Australian waters risk having their vessel seized and destroyed.”
Quotes attributable to Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter:
“Illegal fishing inside Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone will not be tolerated, and Australian Border Force – through Maritime Border Command – implements a multi-faceted approach, including enforcement actions at sea, targeted operations, and collaborative patrols with Indonesian agencies.
“The results of this operation clearly demonstrate our collaborative successes with AFMA, where we have seized catch, fishing equipment, and disposed vessels, while the foreign fishers were apprehended and successfully prosecuted.
“Every report of a sighting of a potential foreign fishing vessel is taken seriously and the community plays an important role in protecting our border by reporting any suspicious activities to authorities.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia’s borders is urged to contact Border Watch.
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
