Marine News

The Australian Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor said that the Border Protection Service has caught a foreign vessel suspected of fishing illegally in Australian waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The boat was first spotted by surveillance aircraft early this morning and later apprehended by HMAS Albany. The Border Protection Command was in full control of the situation being supported by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

“It’s alleged that the boat was stopped about 48 nautical miles north west of Maningrida in the Northern Territory and officers found about 20 kilograms of shark fin on board,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Shark fin is a regarded as a delicacy in some parts of Asia but it is illegal for foreign vessels to take marine life from this part of Australian waters.”

The crew of five aboard the apprehended will be transported to Darwin to be interviewed by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

“Australia enforces strict penalties upon those who violate our foreign fishing laws. Offenders face fines of up to $750 000 and Australian authorities can destroy boats involved in illegal foreign fishing,” Mr O’Connor said.

“This apprehension, and many others, show that our strategic border response to detect and deter illegal foreign fishing within Australia’s maritime domain is working.

“Our approach includes working closely with Indonesian agencies to stem illegal activity in our respective Exclusive Economic Zones,” Mr O’Connor said.

This is the ninth joint patrol between Australia and Indonesia with the most recent only last month.

“Working closely with our nearest neighbour has contributed to a notable reduction in foreign fishing vessels operating in Australia’s northern waters,” Mr O’Connor said.

In 2005-6 there were 367 apprehensions compared to 27 in 2008–9. Vessels observed outside Australian waters are making far fewer incursions into our exclusive economic zone.

Border Protection Command’s proactive surveillance program includes aerial, sea, and land patrols.

“Illegal fishing is a serious international matter and the Gillard Government remains committed to stamping out these offences and safeguarding our border.”