Ten Papua New Guinean fishers pleaded guilty and were convicted on Friday, 13 May 2016 in Darwin for commercial fishing inside the Torres Strait Protected Zone. Two of the fishers were also convicted for obstructing Commonwealth officials during the interception.
Some of the illegally caught sea cucumbers (Beche de mer) found on the PNG fishing vessel
Their unlicensed fishing boat was apprehended by the Australian Border Force (ABF) on 17 April 2016 after being located approximately 6 kilometres inside the Australian side of the Torres Strait Protected Zone, which is off far north Queensland.
When pursued by Australian authorities, the occupants of the boat threw illegally taken beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) overboard as they attempted to evade capture. The ABF officers were able to stop the fishers, while working in challenging and dangerous conditions where they were threatened with spears and machetes.
Following an investigation by officers from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) the owner of the boat and the nine crew pleaded guilty to charges.
All 10 were given a nine-month good behaviour bond for the fishing offences while the two crew members involved in threatening behaviour were also given 12-month good behaviour bonds. In sentencing, the Judge noted the importance of protecting Australia’s natural resources, in particular, sea cucumber. Their fishing boat was also confiscated and will be disposed of by AFMA.
More information on how Australia is working to combat illegal fishing can be found at afma.gov.au.