Joint media release Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority
The last week has seen illegal fishers from two separate fishing vessels convicted of exploiting Australia’s marine resources after investigations by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
On Friday 25 November 2016, 16 Vietnamese illegal foreign fishers appeared before the Darwin Magistrates Court. They were apprehended by Maritime Border Command (MBC), a multi-agency taskforce within the Australian Border Force (ABF), in cooperation with AFMA, approximately 180 nautical miles northeast of Gladstone, Queensland on 3 November 2016.
The master of the vessel pleaded guilty to and was convicted of two offences. He received a two-month suspended jail sentence for each offence. The remaining 15 crew members were each convicted of one offence and received a two-month suspended sentence and a one-year good behaviour bond.
One of the crew had been previously caught and convicted of an illegal fishing offence in June 2016 and was found to have breached a good behaviour bond. He is now serving a two-month term of imprisonment.
On Wednesday, 30 November 2016, two Indonesian illegal foreign fishers also appeared before Darwin Magistrates Court after their fishing vessel, Berkah III, was apprehended on 6 November 2016 approximately 150 nautical miles north-west of Cape Londonderry.
The master entered a plea of not guilty, with his matter adjourned until Monday 5 December 2016; at which time a trial date is expected to be set. The other crew member from that vessel was convicted of illegally fishing in Australian waters and received a fine of $1500.
The Indonesian fishing vessel, Berkah III was disposed of at AFMA’s vessel destruction facility on 18 November 2016.
AFMA General Manager Operations, Mr Peter Venslovas, said that those caught illegally fishing in Australian waters will face the consequences.
“Our whole of government approach to combatting illegal fishing means that those caught doing the wrong thing and plundering Australia’s marine resources, will be investigated and face penalties,” Mr Venslovas said.
“It is important that our strict rules and regulations are adhered to so that current and future generations can continue to ensure the shared resources that are our fisheries.”
In addition to our coordinated whole of government approach, Australia continues to work closely with regional partners including France, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia to intercept these vessels. This relationship is strengthened through information sharing, joint patrols and other cooperative arrangements. Collaboration occurs on a bilateral, regional and multilateral basis.
Acting Commander MBC, Stephen Alexander, said MBC monitors Australia’s maritime borders 24/7 and responds to any sign of illegal activity.
“MBC is committed to working together with AFMA to stop illegal fishing and protect Australia’s unique maritime resources. The net is closing on this fishing in our waters,” Acting Commander Alexander said.
“We have had a proven deterrence effect for illegal foreign fishing; with 367 apprehensions of illegal foreign fishing vessels in 2005-06 down to 20 apprehensions in 2015-16. This demonstrates MBC’s commitment and success in increasing greater compliance to fishing laws in our waters.”
More information on how Australia is working to combat illegal fishing can be found at afma.gov.au.