Thirteen Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in two separate cases at Darwin Local Court on 18 February 2025.
The first case arose from an incident on 17 January 2025 when Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Cuthbert Point, Northern Territory.
Authorities seized 1,200 kg of sea cucumber, a significant quantity of fishing equipment and 30 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch. Seven crew were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessel was seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law.
All fishers were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth). The master of the vessel was released on a $3,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years.
The remaining six crew members were released on $2,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years.
The second case arose from an incident on 2 February 2025 when Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Croker Island, Northern Territory.
Authorities seized 800 kg of sea cucumber and a variety of fishing equipment. The vessel was seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law. Six crew on-board were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA.
All fishers were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth). The master of the vessel was released on a $3,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years.
One crew member with previous findings of guilt for similar offences was sentenced to a 3-month term of imprisonment, wholly suspended, and released on a $2,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years.
The remaining four crew members were released on $2,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years.
All 13 fishers will be removed from Australia by the ABF and returned to Indonesia in due course.
There have been 125 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since 1 July 2024.
AFMA, in partnership with ABF, continues to target illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters to protect our precious marine resources.
Australian authorities are also using other measures to combat illegal fishing at its source, including the delivery of public information campaigns within Indonesian fishing communities, the distribution of educational material, targeted social media campaigns, and proactive engagement with fishers.
Quotes attributable to AFMA's General Manager, Fisheries Operations, Mr Justin Bathurst:
"AFMA remains committed to the task of investigating and prosecuting those found fishing illegally in Australian waters."
"Illegal fishing has a devastating impact on our natural resources and poses significant biosecurity risks to Australia."
"If you choose to break the law and fish illegally in Australia, you will be caught and face the consequences."
Quotes attributable to ABF Operation LUNAR Commander, Tracie Griffin:
"This illegal activity threatens Australia's borders, and ABF will remain vigilant to detect and intercept these vessels through ongoing surveillance, patrolling and response capabilities."
"I encourage those in the community who may have information about suspicious activity to report it to Border Watch online."
"This illegal activity will not be tolerated in our waters. We will intercept you, you will lose your catch, your equipment and possibly even your vessel."
