Authorities burnt one of two illegal fishing boats in NT waters on Friday, November 22. Picture: ABF
Australian border and maritime authorities have intercepted 139 fishing poachers in five months and says the role of remote communities is proving vital.
The praise follows the interception of two more boats on Friday, November 22, and the conviction and deportation of 19 Indonesian nationals.
One of the boats had to be destroyed at sea due to biosecurity concerns.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers, through its Maritime Border Command (MBC), intercepted the two boats near the remote Northern Territory community of Maningrida.
Residents alerted the authorities to boats hiding in mangroves in a creek north of Junction Bay on the Arnhem coastline.
MBC and Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) officers seized 190 kilograms of sea cucumber, 240kg of salt (for preservation) and equipment.
One of the boats was destroyed at sea under Australian biosecurity law and the other escorted out of Australian waters.
MBC Commander Rear Admiral Brett Sonter says the public’s role in helping to protect more than 30,000 kilometres of coastline, much of it in very remote areas, is important.
“ABF, Defence and AFMA officers work tirelessly to protect our vast coastline and ensure those who seek to profit from illegal fishing are detected and detained,” Rear Admiral Sonter said.
“People who come to Australian waters to conduct illegal fishing activity will be caught (and) lose their catch, equipment and likely their vessel.
“MBC proactively adjusts and monitors its force posture through an intelligence-led, risk-based approach; we’ve seen the results of that approach in the speed and success of this interception,” Rear-Adm Sonter says.
“This timely reporting enabled a successful interception and contributed to ongoing efforts to protect Australia’s sovereign waters.”
AFMA General Manager Fisheries Operations Justin Bathurst says Australia’s fisheries resources remains an attractive target for poachers.
“Those caught fishing illegally in Australian waters risk prosecution and imprisonment as well as the seizure and destruction of their vessel,” Bathurst says.
There have been 139 foreign fishing boats intercepted this financial year alone; 67 foreign fishers have been sentenced with another 16 Indonesian nationals awaiting Court hearings.
Nineteen Indonesian nationals were deported after they pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on October 29 and November 13.
Information about suspicious activity can be provided to Border Watch online or by contacting CRIMFISH on 1800 274 634 or at [email protected]
