ABF intercept two illegal fishing boats near Maningrida, Northern Territory

An illegal fishing boat has been destroyed off the coast of Maningrida in the Northern Territory, with a second vessel escorted out of Australian waters by authorities after attempting to hide in the vegetation of a creek.

The ABF intercepted two illegal fishing vessels on Friday, with one of the boats sent to the bottom of the sea. Picture: Harry Brill.

An illegal fishing boat has been destroyed off the coast of Maningrida in the Northern Territory, with a second vessel escorted out of Australian waters by authorities after attempting to hide in the vegetation of a creek.

On Friday, locals identified two suspicious vessels hiding in the mangroves north of Junction Bay.

Australian Border Force responded to the report and sent a patrol vessel to the area.

On arrival, ABF personnel boarded the vessels, seizing 190 kilograms of sea cucumber, 240 kilograms of salt - used for preserving catch - and fishing equipment.

The vessels were first sighted by locals at Junction Bay, Northern Territory. Source: Google Maps.

In accordance with biosecurity laws, one of the fishing vessels was set alight and destroyed at sea.

The second vessel was escorted out of Australian waters.

Maritime Border Command commander, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter said authorities worked “tirelessly” to protect the Australian coastline.

“MBC proactively adjusts and monitors its force posture through an intelligence-led, risk-based approach, and we’ve seen the results of that approach in the speed and success of this interception.”

Rear Admiral Sonter thanked locals reporting the vessels to authorities. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

With more than 30,000 kilometres of coastline to protect, Rear Admiral Sonter also acknowledged the importance of local tip-offs.

“I would like to thank the hardworking officials and members of the public who reported the vessels to Border Watch,” he said.

“This timely reporting enabled a successful interception and contributed to ongoing efforts to protect Australia’s sovereign waters.”

Indonesian fishermen leaving Darwin Local Court in January. There has been a flurry of illegal fishermen who have been brought into Darwin for court hearings this year.

The latest seizures bring the total number of foreign fishing vessel interceptions to 139 so far this financial year.

Additionally, 67 foreign fishers have been prosecuted in the same time, with a further 16 Indonesian fishers awaiting court hearings.

Australian Fisheries Management Authority general manager Justin Bathurst issued a warning for potential sea criminals.

“AFMA and our partner agencies remain absolutely committed to the task of detecting illegal fishers,” he said.

“Those caught fishing illegally in Australian waters risk prosecution and imprisonment as well as the seizure and destruction of their vessel.”

The interceptions follows claims of a spike in illegal activity off the Top End coastline, with a large number illegal fishing vessels reportedly sighted by remote communities.

The influx came to a head two weeks ago when four Chinese asylum-seekers were dumped on Croker Island, allegedly by foreign fishers from Indonesia, drawing the ire of Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan who claimed the ABF’s performance was in decline.