ABF intercepted an Indonesian vessel concealed within the mangroves of a creek system and seized about 1950 kg of sea cucumbers. Photo: AFMA.
Australian Border Force (ABF) has busted seven Indonesian nationals with almost two tonnes of sea cucumbers near Escape River, Cape York following a timely community tip-off during Operation Broadstaff.
The interception resulted in seven fishers pleading guilty to illegal fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on 19 March, ABF has revealed.
Authorities responded to information from a member of the public about a suspected foreign fishing vessel on 3 March. The boat was found hidden in the mangroves of a nearby creek system.
Fishing gear was seized alongside about 1950 kg of sea cucumbers.
The boat was also seized, crew were detained and taken to Darwin for further investigation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
The master of the boat – who was detected in Australian waters previously – was sentenced to two months behind bars, backdated to the day of his apprehension on 7 March.
Another crew member, also detected in Australian waters on another occasion, was released on an $8000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of four years.
Two crew with prior findings of guilt for similar offending were released on $5000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of five years.
The final three crew members were released on $3000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for three years.
All of the Indonesian anglers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned home, after serving relevant jail-time.
Fishing gear was seized alongside the sea cucumbers. Photo: AFMA.
There has been 153 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in the Darwin court between 1 July last year and 24 March this year, according to ABF and AFMA.
Maritime Border Command Acting Deputy Commander Brooke Dewar warned illegal fishers they would not slip the net.
“The ABF continues to disrupt illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters. Our officers detected this vessel concealed in the mangroves and took decisive action to protect Australia’s maritime resources and sovereign borders,” she said.
“These outcomes demonstrate the ongoing effectiveness of ABF’s maritime operations. When foreign vessels enter Australian waters illegally, they will be detected and our officers will take action to disrupt their activity and protect Australia’s maritime domain.
“Illegal fishing threatens Australia’s marine environment and the livelihoods of legitimate fishers. We work closely with AFMA and our regional partners to identify and disrupt this activity at sea and at its source.”
Sea cucumbers in containers aboard the vessel. Photo: AFMA.
AFMA’s general manager of fisheries operations Justin Bathurst said: “Illegal fishing will not be tolerated. Our message is clear, you will be caught and face significant penalties under Australian law.
“Any foreign national caught fishing unlawfully in Australian waters will be subject to serious penalties including seizure of catch, equipment, vessel and potential imprisonment,” he said.
Operation Broadstaff, which launched in February, is targeting illegal foreign fishing in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait.
Accompanying enforcement activities, Australian authorities have been working with the Indonesian Government to address illegal fishing through public information campaigns in fishing communities, educational material, social media campaigns and proactive engagement with fishers.
Report illegal fishing in Australian waters by phoning CRIMFISH on 1800 274 634.
This is long overdue. What a win! Not sure what non-exclusive rights means though and how this plays… View