Seven Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegal fishing in Australian waters when they faced Darwin Local Court on 31 March. Photos: ABF.
A group of illegal foreign fishers busted near Trochus Island in the Torres Strait as part of Operation Broadstaff has been dealt with in court and largely dodged jail time.
That includes two vessel masters who were previously apprehended in Australian waters.
Australian Border Force (ABF) identified and intercepted two Indonesian fishing boats near the island on 7 March.
ABF seized fishing equipment and 1650 kilograms of salt, which is used to preserve catch.
The vessels were seized, and seven crew members were detained and taken to Darwin to face further investigations by the ABF’s Operation Broadstaff partner, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
All the crew members pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 when they faced Darwin Local Court on 31 March.
One of the vessel masters was convicted and sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond, while the other master was fined $1000 and sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment, suspended immediately.
The boats being intercepted on 7 March.
A crew member, who was wanted on a warrant for previous offending and had an unpaid fine, served 10 days behind bars, while the other fishers were handed penalties ranging from $1000 fines to two-year good behaviour bonds.
The anglers were set to be taken back to Indonesia by ABF.
Since 1 July last year, 160 Indonesian fishers had been prosecuted in the local court, the ABF revealed on Thursday (9 April).
Broadstaff, a multiagency operation to deter, detect and disrupt illegal foreign fishing across northern Queensland and the Torres Strait, began in February.
ABF has been burning illegal boats at sea, and Maritime Border Command Acting Deputy Commander Brooke Dewar earlier said that move “reflects a deliberate enforcement posture”.
The Indonesian fishers’ boats are disposed of.
“If you enter Australian waters to fish illegally, you will be detected and intercepted and the consequences can be immediate — your vessel can be seized and disposed of under Australian law,” she warned.
“Vessel destruction is one tool. Seizure of fishing equipment, education and escorting vessels out of Australian waters are also critical parts of a multilayered enforcement approach.”
Australian authorities have also been working with the Indonesian Government to try to stop the influx of illegal fishers, which has spiked “400 per cent” in recent years, according to Cook MP David Kempton.
Justin Bathurst, AFMA’s Fisheries Operations general manager, said: “Illegal foreign fishing continues to threaten the sustainability of our precious fish stocks, and will not be tolerated.
“Any foreign national caught fishing unlawfully in Australian waters will be subject to serious penalties, including seizure of catch, equipment, vessel and potential imprisonment.”
Deputy Commander Dewar said the ABF was working closely with AFMA and regional counterparts — including Torres Strait communities — to tackle illegal fishing.
“Protecting Australia’s maritime borders includes preventing unlawful fishing activity that undermines fisheries management and environmental sustainability,” she said.
“These sentences reflect the seriousness with which Australia treats illegal foreign fishing and the impact it has on our maritime interests.”
Anyone who suspects illegal fishing in Australian waters should phone CRIMFISH on 1800 274 63.
