Dozens of illegal fishing vessels from Indonesia entering the country’s waters were seized and burned in recent weeks, the Australian Border Force said.
Operation Sovereign Borders Commander Rear Admiral Brett Sonter told Seven News that the Border Force seized more than 200 boats, sunk 48, and apprehended 1,000 fishermen in two operations in the country’s northern borders. This maritime security operation was also coordinated with the Indonesian government.
“Illegal fishing is a serious thing. Anyone coming into our backyard and stealing things out of your backyard is serious,” said Cabinet Minister Jason Clare at Seven’s Sunrise program on Friday.
“The only way to stop it is to burn their boats, send a message that if you do this, you will lose the most valuable thing you have got,your boat.”
Between last May 8 and 17, both the Australian and Indonesian governments undertook the eighth iteration of Operation GANNET with the Timor Sea Area of Operations to detect, deter, and combat illegal sea activities in the country’s northern border.
The said operation consists of vessels, aircraft, and personnel from the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Republic of Indonesia, the Border Force’s Maritime Border Command, and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
In addition, the Albanese government said it is taking strong action to keep illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) seafood out of Australia, supporting legitimate seafood suppliers in the country.
The government also committed $1.7 million to ensure that the Australian Fisheries Management Authority can protect the country’s northern borders.
“The Australian Border Force, through Maritime Border Command, remains committed to protecting our maritime borders from any security threats, including irregular foreign fishing,” Mr. Sonter added in a separate statement.
Last week, 18 fishermen who entered illegally in Australia pled guilty at the Darwin Local Court for operating illegally in the northern border. The Border Force seized 750 kilograms of shark’s fin, three stingray tails, 10 kilograms of sea cucumber, and other relevant equipment.
Deputy Liberal Leader and former environment minister Sussan Ley said that she is concerned about the rise of illegal fishing activities and fully supports the operations to counter illegal fishing in the country. Ms. Ley also raised concerns about the boats used by people smugglers.
According to the AFMA, IUU and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, IUU fishing leads to a loss of $23.5 billion globally each year, representing approximately 20 percent of all global fish catch.
Last March, Australian authorities intercepted and apprehended three Indonesian fishing vessels fishing illegally in Australian waters, with two of them intercepted in the Kimberley Marine Park and one in the Rowley Shoals Marine Park.
The authorities charged 15 crew and seized from them their fishing equipment, 100 kilograms of salt used for preserving catch, and 20 kilograms of sea cucumber.
The accused pleaded guilty at Darwin Local Court in April, and faced penalties amounting to $31,300. One of the accused was found to be a repeat offender and faced 19 days of imprisonment.
“Illegal fishing activity undermines the sustainability of Australia’s marine stocks and financially impacts Australia’s commercial fishing industry,” said Justin Bathurst, AFMA general manager for fisheries operations.
