Seven Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on 4 March 2025.
The case arose from an incident on 11 February 2025 when Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Croker Island, Northern Territory.
Authorities seized 339 shark fins, a significant quantity of fishing equipment and 200kg of salt used to process and preserve catch. The crew was detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessel was seized by the ABF 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 $1,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 5 years.
The remaining crew members were also released on $1,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 5 years.
One of the crew had an outstanding warrant for similar offending dating back to 2010. He was taken into custody and sentenced to an additional 35 days imprisonment relating to an outstanding fine owed on the historical matter.
All fishers will be removed from Australia by the ABF and returned to Indonesia at the earliest opportunity.
There have been 132 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."
