Australian Border Force (ABF) intercepts a boat suspected of being used for illegal foreign fishing. Photo: ABF.
A crew of Indonesians suspected of illegal fishing have been detained by Australian authorities after they were allegedly found with almost 30 sharks and more than 100 reef fish on their boat in the Torres Strait.
Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) intercepted the Type III Indonesian fishing vessel north-west of Badu Island in the Torres Strait on 14 September.
The boat was spotted from the air and the ABF Maritime Border Command operating under Operation Broadstaff coordinated a response by the Navy’s HMAS Cape Woolamai to stop the vessel.
Woolamai is regularly used for fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations.
Authorities allegedly seized 108 reef fish, 29 sharks and fishing equipment. The crew was taken in after the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) was informed.
The crew was in custody and due to be taken to Darwin for further investigation earlier this week.
The ABF burned five illegal foreign fishing boats at sea as part of Operation Broadstaff earlier this year. Photo: ABF.
Broadstaff launched in February to deter, detect and disrupt illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters. There have been 11 apprehensions since then and the ABF has intercepted 25 foreign fishing vessels in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait since the start of the year.
Last year, almost 300 Indonesian nationals were prosecuted for offences against the Fisheries Management Act and one Torres Strait fish receiver for offences against the Torres Strait Fisheries Act.
Deputy Commander of the Maritime Border Command Natasha O’Farrell said: “This interception demonstrates that enforcement pressure remains strong across the Torres Strait.
“While illegal foreign fishing activity can fluctuate, our vigilance does not,” she said.
“Our maritime border remains under surveillance, and those who seek to illegally fish in Australian waters should expect to be detected, intercepted and may face prosecution.”
Authorities have been working with locals to catch illegal foreign fishers – and burning boats at sea to send a message.
“Local knowledge is vital in strengthening maritime awareness across the region and the Torres Strait community supports our collective efforts in safeguarding Australia’s northern waters,” Deputy Commander O’Farrell said.
AFMA general manager of Fisheries Operations Justin Bathurst warned illegal foreign fishers to keep clear.
“Any foreign national caught fishing illegally in Australia will face serious consequences, including the seizure of catch, equipment and vessel, as well as potential prosecution and imprisonment,” he said.
“AFMA remains committed to working with Maritime Border Command to detect, apprehend and prosecute illegal foreign fishers.”
Anyone with information about suspected illegal foreign fishing should file a report through Border Watch. Reports can be made anonymously.
Original Article published by Luke Mortimer on Cape York Weekly.
