Biosecurity threat: Coalition pledge to target illegal fishing boats in NT waters

Illegal fishers in operating in Northern Territory waters will be a target for a future Coalition Government National Party Leader David Littleproud has pledged.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud. The coalition has promised a review to ensure biosecurity activities are effective Picture: Fia Walsh.

Illegal fishers in operating in Northern Territory waters will be a target for a future Coalition Government National Party Leader David Littleproud has pledged.

Mr Littleproud said multiple reviews have recommended the development of enhanced surveillance and monitoring capabilities, with early detection recognised as the most cost-effective area of biosecurity investment.

He said Labor’s Operation LUNAR will be given a comprehensive review under a future Coalition Government in relation to biosecurity.

“As at the end of January, 172 illegal boats have been intercepted in the past six months,” he said.

“There are fears Operation LUNAR is not as effective as it should be for biosecurity and we want to make sure it is working – this is not a cut to the operation.

“Illegal fishing boats could bring in diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease that could cost the economy $50 billion over 10 years.

“We need a review to ensure our biosecurity activities are effective.”

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.