Media release.
Foreign fishers apprehended for illegally fishing inside the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ) last month were found guilty at a hearing in Darwin earlier this week.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), in partnership with the Department of the Environment conducted an investigation which resulted in successful convictions of the master and a crew member of the Indonesian fishing vessel, Lima Saudara, for offences under fisheries and environmental legislation. In addition to fines totalling $3 600, the fishing vessel was also seized and destroyed at AFMA’s destruction facility in Darwin.
AFMA’s Senior Manager Compliance Operations, John Davis said the convictions showed to those seeking to do the wrong thing, that illegal fishing will not be tolerated.
“AFMA officers work together with other Commonwealth regulators to protect our marine resources from those who seek to violate them,” Mr Davis said.
“If you do the wrong thing, you will be caught and face the full force of the law.
“It is imperative that the strict rules and regulations we have in place are followed to ensure a healthy supply of Australian seafood for current and future generations.”
The fishing vessel Lima Saudara was apprehended on 10 October 2015 after being intercepted approximately 120 nautical miles off north Western Australia. At the time of apprehension the vessel had approximately 60 shark fins and 70 kilograms of fish onboard. AFMA and Navy officers also retrieved a longline with more than 70 baited hooks in the water.
An offence under Australia’s environmental legislation was also identified after the investigation revealed the bait on the hooks was meat from a melon headed whale.
More information on how Australia is working to combat illegal fishing can be found at afma.gov.au.