Surge in illegal fishermen a cash bonus for Darwin CBD hotel

A surge in the capture of illegal fishermen has become something of a windfall for a local Territory Hotel.

Frontier Hotel, Darwin

A surge in the capture of illegal fishermen has become something of a windfall for a local Territory Hotel.

Such is the number being arrested in our northern waters the Frontier Hotel near the Gardens is being used as a temporary detention facility.

In the past 12 months around 240 foreign fishermen have been prosecuted in the Darwin Local Court.

This is close to 80 more than for the previous 12 month period.

Australian Border Force spokesperson said the costs associated with managing a person, either in the community or in detention, are highly dependent on individual circumstances.

Earlier this month a crew of foreign fishermen were ordered to cough up $40,000 in fines after authorities nabbed them plundering sea cucumber off the coast of Arnhem Land.

In early June, a foreign fishing vessel was sighted off Maningrida by Bawinanga Rangers, who reported the find to Australian Border Force (ABF).

ABF dispatched Cape-Class Patrol Boat Cape York to the area, assisted by a helicopter.

On June 6, Cape York intercepted and arrested the crew.

Prior to destroying the foreign vessel, officers seized 750kgs of sea cucumber found on deck.

After almost three weeks in custody, the crew was brought before Darwin Local Court on June 24.

The master of the vessel was fined a hefty $10,000 while the remaining six crew members were each fined $4000.

Originally published as Surge in illegal fishermen a cash bonus for Darwin CBD hotel