Officials intercept a fishing vessel with five onboard at Ashmore Island, north of Broome, WA. Picture: supplied
Seven illegal foreign fishing boats have been intercepted at sea in just 48 hours by border officials last week.
Australian Border Force (ABF) says there were 51 crew onboard the seven vessels caught in waters off the Northern Territory and Western Australian coastlines.
They were intercepted before they could begin fishing, the ABF says.
On Monday, October 14, officials intercepted a vessel with eight onboard at Barracouta Shoal near Ashmore Island, north of Broome, WA.
Other interceptions on the day were:
- Seven fishers on a vessel at Cape Londonderry (North Kimberley Marine Park), WA;
- Six fishers on a vessel at Trepang Bay, northeast of Darwin, NT; and
- Thirteen fishers on two vessels at Cartier Island, north of Broome, WA.
The next day (Tuesday, October 15), officials intercepted five fishers on a vessel at Ashmore Island north of Broome, WA; and 12 fishers on a vessel at Croker Island, northeast of Darwin, NT.
Officers boarded and inspected all seven vessels and seized fishing equipment before the vessels and crew were escorted out of Australian waters.
NINE CONVICTED
Meanwhile, nine Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing when they appeared in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, October 15.
According to the ABF, on Thursday, September 19, authorities intercepted and seized an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Augustus Island, WA.
The crew were targeting highly prized sea cucumber, commonly sold in Asian markets.
Authorities seized 350kg of sea cucumber worth about $30,000, 175kg of salt (used for preserving catch) and fishing equipment.
The crew were taken to Darwin and charged under the Fisheries Management Act and their vessel destroyed at-sea.
The master of the vessel was jailed for three weeks concurrently; two other fishers with a record were also sentenced to three weeks imprisonment. The remaining crew were released on 12-month good behaviour bonds.
All nine fishers were returned to Indonesia.
Information about suspicious activity can be provided to Border Watch online or by contacting CRIMFISH on 1800 274 634 or [email protected]
EARLIER STORY: Nine plead guilty to illegal fishing
