The State and Federal Governments have conducted a joint eight-day operation to tackle illegal foreign fishing in the Torres Strait.
Operation V helped deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone off the tip of Cape York.
It was the first international, multi-Agency patrol of the Torres Strait led by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), alongside the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP), Queensland Police Service (QPS), Maritime Border Command, Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Papua New Guinea National Fisheries Authority (PNG NFA).
The QBFP flagship vessel – the KI Ross (pictured) – along with the ABF’s fast response vessel; the Maritime Border Command’s aerial surveillance capability; and a PNG NFA patrol vessel were all involved in Operation V.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt said theoperation provided an increased enforcement presence and strong deterrent to illegal fishers operating in the region.
“The patrol engaged with a range of fishers, including PNG villagers undertaking traditional fishing in line with the Torres Strait Treaty, and inspections of local fishers,” Senator Watt said.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner said Australia had a long history of working with the PNG NFA to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Australian waters.
“Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a major contributor to global over-fishing, which threatens marine ecosystems and puts food security and regional stability at risk,” Mr Furner said.
“It is also linked to human rights violations and organised crime,” he said.
Senator Watt said the Federal Government was committed to combating IUU fishing in the Torres Strait through a comprehensive, multifaceted approach that included direct domestic and international action, and bilateral, regional, and global cooperation.
