Border Force is increasing on-water patrols in the north Queensland and Torres Strait region to combat illegal fishing. Photo: ABF.
A recent increase in illegal fishing in Far North Queensland has prompted the Federal Government to increase its efforts to combat the practice.
Operation BROADSTAFF has been launched in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait by the Australian Border Force (ABF), and is designed to build on similar and successful operations LEEDSTROM in north-west Western Australia and LUNAR in the Northern Territory to deter, detect, disrupt and take enforcement action against illegal fishers.
A release by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says there have been 10 interdictions of suspected illegal fishing vessels in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait since 1 January as a result of increased surveillance and additional assets in the region.
The operation builds on the ABF’s current efforts in the region, including the ongoing Border Monitoring Officer and Border Watch Programs, and engagement with local communities.
Minister Burke said the operation was a response to illegal foreign fishing activity in the Torres Strait, and was in partnership with the local communities who had seen and felt the impact of the activity.
“One of the reasons we are seeing illegal foreign fishers operating in the Torres Strait is due to the success of operations LEEDSTRUM and LUNAR,” he said.
“The criminals have tried and failed in the Kimberley and Northern Territory. They are now trying in the Torres Strait, but they will also fail there.
“Australian Border Force surveillance and patrol capabilities are active across vast and remote maritime regions,” he added.
“Foreign fishers who operate in Australian waters illegally risk losing their haul, their equipment, their vessel, and their freedom.”
The minister has urged local community members who may have information about illegal fishing activity to contact Border Watch.
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Jonno Duniam said the announcement had come too late for Australian fishers and the environment.
“The government has admitted that its own operations in WA and the NT pushed illegal foreign fishers into the Torres Strait,” he said.
“Why did it not act sooner to prevent this surge that left the Torres Strait and FNQ susceptible? And why are we seeing cases in the Northern Territory of alleged illegal fishers with shark fin in their possession with the supposed success of operation LUNAR?
“Illegal incursions on the northern coast have surged,” he added.
“In Cape York this year alone we have had at least 10 interceptions, while an alleged foreign vessel was photographed inside a mainland creek.
“They are getting so brazen that we had a case of three alleged illegal fishers walking into a business in the Torres Strait to acquire drinks. Where does this end?”
Mr Duniam said the current government was still playing catch-up on the number of surveillance hours that were achieved under the previous Coalition government.
He said that, according to Home Affairs, there was a 26 per cent drop in surveillance hours in the two years from 2020/21 to 2022/23.
“Australia needs a whole-of-northern-border approach that actually works, not a reaction after the fact,” he said.
“The government must urgently sort our surveillance and a proper deterrence so that our border is protected.”
