Maritime Border Command (MBC) within the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) have apprehended an Indonesian fishing vessel suspected of illegally fishing off the coast of the Northern Territory yesterday morning. The vessel was first spotted by an MBC aircraft during a surveillance flight.
HMAS Maryborough responded to the sighting and after a short pursuit, personnel intercepted and boarded the Indonesian registered fishing vessel about 16 nautical miles inside of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (AEEZ); approximately 175 nautical miles north-west of Darwin.
Officers located around 20 kilograms of fresh sea cucumbers, 12 bags of dried sea cucumbers between 20 and 50 kilograms each, 15 kilograms of fish and one crayfish. Diving equipment, along with a spear gun and several wet suits were also found on board.
Indonesian fishing vessel apprehended north-west of Darwin
The eight crew members on board were apprehended, with the vessel and crew being escorted to Australia for further investigation by AFMA.
Commander MBC, Rear Admiral Peter Laver, said the cooperation that has been achieved through this multiagency approach, combining ABF, ADF and AFMA resources continues to produce an effective response to the threat posed by illegal fishing.
“Illegal fishing threatens the sustainability of our unique marine environment and we continue to work with our partners to protect Australia’s valuable marine resources,” Rear Admiral Laver said.
“Our surveillance and response capabilities extend throughout the AEEZ to allow us to deter and apprehend illegal activity and foreign vessels seeking to conduct illegal fishing.”
AFMA’s General Manager Fishing Operations Mr Peter Venslovas said that as demonstrated by the most recent apprehension, those seeking to do the wrong thing will be caught.
“Illegal fishing undermines the very rules and regulations we have in place to ensure sustainable fisheries for current and future generations of Australians.
“Our well-managed fisheries are a target for illegal foreign fishing, however Australia’s monitoring and surveillance helps ensure that our marine resources are not plundered.”
More information on how Australia is working to combat illegal fishing can be found at afma.gov.au.