Border Force sets fire to illegal Indonesian fishing boat off the NT coast amid crackdown

An Indonesian fishing boat has been destroyed by an Australian patrol after three vessels illegally trawling were discovered in an Australian marine park 840km west of Darwin.

An illegal Indonesian fishing boat destroyed by the Australian Border Force.

An Australian patrol has destroyed an Indonesian fishing boat after discovering three vessels illegally trawling in an Australian marine park 840km west of Darwin.

The Sunday Territorian can reveal the dramatic incident occurred this month when a taskforce led by the Australian Border Force and Australian Defence Force came upon the Indonesians fishing in the Ashmore Reef Marine Park.

In 2020-21, Australia destroyed six fishing boats compared with zero the previous year.

The ABF Cutter Cape Nelson ­intercepted the fishing boats and officers boarded them to conduct a search.

They discovered 179kg of trepang (also known as sea cucumber) and 5kg of fresh fish and seized the produce, along with fishing equipment from the boats.

Shortly after, the Indonesian fishermen were put on two of their boats and escorted out of the Australian ­Exclusive Economic Zone.

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The other Indonesian fishing boat was then set on fire, in accordance with Australian law.

ABF officers, along with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Maritime Border Command, have been conducting ­patrols to address concerns about ­illegal fishing in Australian waters in recent months.

MBC commander Rear Admiral Mark Hill said that while illegal foreign fishing had been less frequent in recent years, this operation proved that the threat of illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters remained strong.

“Across the region, foreign fishing fleets are moving from their usual fishing grounds to explore and exploit new ones,” Rear Admiral Hill said.

“This operation highlights the critical work undertaken by the ABF, AFMA and MBC to protect the Australian maritime border by safeguarding our marine wildlife and natural resources.

“Our message to unauthorised foreign fishers is simple. We will intercept you, you will lose your catch, your equipment and possibly even your vessel. We are committed to protecting Australia’s maritime domain from a range of potential threats, ­including illegal attempts to fish in our marine parks.”

AFMA general manager operations Peter Venslovas added: “The seizure of fishing gear and disposal of vessels serves as a reminder to those seeking to exploit Australia’s marine resources that Australian authorities have zero tolerance for such illegal activity.”

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