ABF arrest Indonesian crew after 1200 kgs of sea cucumber illegally caught

Another Indonesian boat has been destroyed at sea, after a crew of seven managed to haul more than 1000 kilograms of sea cucumber off Maningrida. See the dramatic pictures.

Another Indonesian boat has been destroyed at sea, after a crew of seven managed to haul more than 1000 kilograms of sea cucumber off Maningrida. Picture: Supplied.

Another Indonesian boat has been destroyed at sea, after authorities seized 1200 kilograms of sea cucumber aboard the illegal fishing vessel.

On January 17, 2025, pilots of an Australian Border Force airframe observed a suspicious vessel near Cuthbert Point, Maningrida, prompting authorities to dispatch a patrol boat to the area.

Authorities managed to board the suspicious vessel, which was crewed by a small group of Indonesian nationals who had caught about 1200 kilograms worth of sea cucumber.

Fishing equipment and 30 kilograms of salt was also seized by authorities.

After consulting their counterparts from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, ABF officers arrested the seven crew members before the vessel was destroyed at sea.

The crew are expected to face court in the coming weeks.

The interception comes just days after two more vessels were found and destroyed (pictured).

The interception occurred less than a week after authorities destroyed a pair of illegal fishing boats which had been carrying a combined 720 kilograms sea cucumber.

Operation Lunar acting commander Tracie Griffin bemoaned the latest massive sea cucumber haul.

“Seizures like this one highlight the scale of threat to Australia’s unique marine environment that illegal foreign fishing represents,” Ms Griffin said.

Since the launch of Operation Lunar in December, more than a dozen illegal fishing boats have been caught off the Top End coastline, including more than six tonnes worth of sea cucumber which has become a prime pillaging target.

Originally published as ABF arrest Indonesian crew after 1200 kgs of sea cucumber illegally caught