Joint media release between the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Australian Border Force
Following a joint operation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Maritime Border Command (MBC) within the Australian Border Force, five tonnes of ghost net has been removed from the Arafura Sea, north-east of Darwin.
Royal Australian Navy Officers working under the command of Maritime Border Command within the Australian Border Force retrieving the ghost net
The abandoned gillnet was sighted by MBC aircraft approximately 135 nautical miles north-east of Darwin on 23 May 2016 and is believed to have drifted into Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
HMAS Glenelg, assigned to MBC, responded and spent more than 24 hours retrieving the adrift net from the water. AFMA arranged for the recovery and subsequent disposal of the two-kilometre-long net.
One turtle was released unharmed and four sharks were found dead within the net.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority officer supervises the unload of an illegal ghost net
AFMA’s General Manager of Operations, Peter Venslovas, said that this latest retrieval highlighted the potential harm these nets can do to the marine environment.
“Ghost nets are a global issue and AFMA will continue to work with other Australian Government agencies to ensure that these abandoned illegal nets do not fish indiscriminately inside the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone,” Mr Venslovas said.
Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral (RADM) Peter Laver was pleased with the collaborative operation and its outcome.
“Stopping illegal fishing and its negative impacts on Australia’s waters is imperative for MBC. Safeguarding our natural resources and unique biodiversity for future generations is a role that we take very seriously,” RADM Laver said.
“MBC and its partner agencies are committed to protecting Australia’s natural wildlife and resources. However, the Australian public is also a valuable partner in helping MBC to identify maritime threats, if you do encounter a ghost net I would urge you to report it to Border Watch on 1800 009 623.”
More information on how Australia is working to combat illegal fishing can be found at afma.gov.au
ENDS
Media contacts:
AFMA: media@afma.gov.au or 0437 869 860
Immigration and Border Protection: (02) 6264 2244