Nine (9) Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on Tuesday 1 October 2024.
On Wednesday 21 August 2024, Australian authorities located, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally in Trepang Bay in the Cobourg Marine Park, Northern Territory. The crew were targeting highly prized sea cucumber (trepang), commonly sold in Asian markets.
A group of Indonesian fishers was initially identified on a small tender vessel. Following contact being made, these fishers led Australian authorities to another vessel hidden in the mangroves. Several of the crew then attempted to flee into the mangroves before ultimately being detained.
Authorities seized 170 kilograms of trepang, 170 kilograms of salt (used for preserving catch) and a large quantity of fishing equipment from the vessel. The crew were transported to Darwin for further investigation. Both the main vessel and tender vessel were subsequently destroyed at-sea in accordance with Australian law.
All nine fishers were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth). The master of the vessel was released on a $12000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 5 years, with a 120-day period of imprisonment imposed in the event of default. The remaining 8 crew members were released on $8000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 4 years, with 80-day periods of imprisonment imposed in the event of default.
The fishers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia.
AFMA, in partnership with Maritime Border Command (MBC), a multi-agency task force including Australian Border Force and Australian Defence Force, 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:
"The message remains clear. AFMA and our partner agencies are focused on detecting and apprehending illegal fishers. Those caught fishing illegally in Australian waters risk prosecution as well as seizure and destruction of their vessel."
"These court outcomes reinforce that illegal fishing will not be tolerated."
Quotes attributable to Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter:
"The Australian Border Force, through Maritime Border Command, is committed to protecting our vulnerable marine resources and delicate ecosystems through the targeting of irregular foreign fishing in Australian waters.
"Our message to illegal foreign fishers is simple: Australia does not tolerate illegal activity in our waters. We will intercept you, you will lose your catch, your equipment and possibly even your vessel."
