Now 132 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court

There have been 132 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since July last year.

An illegal foreign fishing vessel caught in Australian waters is set on fire at Bhagwan Marine at East Arm. The destruction of the vessel will prevent foreign bodies and diseases from contaminating the country.

There have been 132 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since 1 July last year.

The most recent to be hauled before the courts by Australian Border Force were seven Indonesian nationals who pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on 4 March 2025.

Australian Border Force said the case arose from an incident on 11 February 2025 when Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Croker Island, Northern Territory.

Border Force reported that they seized 339 shark fins, a significant quantity of fishing equipment and 200kg of salt used to process and preserve catch.

The crew was detained and transported to Darwin and their boat was seized and destroyed.

The master of the vessel was released on a $1,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 5 years.

Australian authorities destroyed the boat for illegal fishing.

One of the crew had an outstanding warrant for similar offending dating back to 2010. He was taken into custody and sentenced to an additional 35 days imprisonment relating to an outstanding fine owed on the historical matter.

The remaining crew members were released on $1,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 5 years.

All fishers will be removed from Australia by the ABF and returned to Indonesia at the earliest opportunity.

The continuous flow of illegal Indonesian fisherman has prompted Australian Fisheries Management Authority General Manager, Fisheries Operations, Mr Justin Bathurst to issued a warning to illegal fishers.

He said those who choose to break the law and fish illegally in Australia, will be caught and face the consequences.

“AFMA remains committed to the task of investigating and prosecuting those found fishing illegally in Australian waters,” her said.

“Illegal fishing has a devastating impact on our natural resources and poses significant biosecurity risks to Australia.”

Australian Border Force officers intercept an illegal fishing boat in Top End waters. Picture: ABF

Australian Border Force Operation LUNAR Commander, Tracie Griffin gave a similar warning.

“This illegal activity will not be tolerated in our waters. We will intercept you, you will lose your catch, your equipment and possibly even your vessel,” she said

“This illegal activity threatens Australia’s borders, and ABF will remain vigilant to detect and intercept these vessels through ongoing surveillance, patrolling and response capabilities.”

“I encourage those in the community who may have information about suspicious activity to report it to Border Watch online.”

Originally published as Now 132 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court