Member for Cook David Kempton meeting with the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council on the implications of illegal foreign fishing. Photo: Supplied.
The incursion of illegal foreign fishing in Torres Strait waters is “starting to sound more like an invasion”, says Member for Cook David Kempton.
After visiting the Northern Peninsula Area and meeting with its local council last week, Mr Kempton claimed he had received reports of locals being threatened with firearms.
“With stories from locals of Indonesian fishing boats attempting to land on Mabuiag Island, navigating Jackey Jackey Creek near Bamaga on the mainland, and occupants of the boat threatening locals with firearms from a vessel at Crab Island, it appears the Federal Government is underestimating the seriousness of the threat,” he said.
“I have spoken to community leaders, locals, fishermen, and traditional owners, and the incursions of these illegal boats are not only widespread, they have been visiting our waters for years.
“The arrival of these illegal fishing vessels is of considerable concern to local communities and fishermen who come into frequent contact with them, causing fear and insecurity.”
Mr Kempton slammed the Federal Government’s response to the situation, and urged Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to visit the region to see the scale of the problem firsthand.
“The Federal Government is not prioritising the safety of Torres Strait Islanders and residents of Cape York because of their failure to fund these border security agencies adequately and build the appropriate infrastructure to deter these threats,” he said.
“The inability to prevent foreign vessels, from dinghies to larger vessels, travelling unchecked through our northern waters not only poses obvious risks to our national security in times of geopolitical instability, but it may facilitate the spread of diseases, plant and animal pests threatening local inhabitants and our primary industries and enable drug, firearm and people smuggling.
“This is a serious problem that will not go away, and cannot be controlled with the current level of resourcing.”
In addition to increasing Border Force capability and improving data sharing and collaboration between agencies, Mr Kempton said it was most important to engage with and employ local people in surveillance and monitoring.
He said Mabuygiw Garkaziw Kupay TSI Corporation, a local Islander men’s group from Mabuiag, was already surveying vast expanses of sea country as part of its current work.
“They could be supported with boats and training to protect their waters from incursions,” he said.
“I was told that it was in fact Mabuiag locals who stepped up to protect their community by making sure the Indonesian vessel and their crew remained on the beach while awaiting assistance from Border Force, who arrived hours later.
“Locals were left with no other choice but to protect themselves because of the inadequate resourcing and investment in the region.”
Vessel sighted at Jackey Jackey Creek in February. Photo: Supplied.
