Illegal fishermen intercepted near Maningrida by Australian Navy

When a suspicious vessel tucked away in the mangroves piqued the interest of locals, rangers took to the skies to recon the area. Within 48 hours, three foreign boats and more than a dozen illegal fishermen who had been exploiting the waters were scooped up by authorities.

From the vantage point of a chopper, rangers observe a group of illegal fishermen walking along a beach near Maningrida. Picture: Supplied.

Illegal fishing boats are continually “slipping through” to the Australian mainland, a senior land council leader claims, after the Royal Australian Navy was forced into action after multiple illegal fishing boats were spotted hiding among the mangroves near a Top End town, with crew members seen freely strolling along the beaches.

On Sunday, Arnhem Land locals observed a single boat was concealed within the mangroves of Judda Point, north west of Maningrida.

The sighting was referred to Djelk rangers, who used a helicopter to scan the area.

This photo, taken on Sunday near Maningrida, triggered suspicion that illegal fishermen had infiltrated Australia's maritime border.

During their aerial reconnaissance, rangers identified a group of men walking along a beach, as well as a pair of fishing vessels tucked away in the vegetation nearby.

The NT News understands after contacting authorities, the rangers landed their chopper to confront the group of fishermen, estimated to be about 20 men.

It is understood the fishermen revealed themselves as Indonesian nationals searching for trepang (sea cucumber).

A boat hidden in the mangroves which was spotted by the rangers.

That afternoon, two fishing vessels were intercepted by authorities and their crews detained.

On Tuesday morning, authorities continued their search following intelligence that another illegal boat was lurking in the area.

Using the rangers’ helicopter as a guide, a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) boat snaked through the mangroves to detain the crew of a third boat.

RAN personnel delved into the dense vegetation to catch the third boat. Picture: Supplied.

An aerial photograph obtained by this masthead shows RAN patrol boat ADV Cape Perron towing the three vessel out into the Arafura Sea.

With Maningrida locals unsure as to whether the foreign presence had been addressed, the ABF issued a statement to confirm the situation was under control.

“ABF can confirm it has responded under Operation Lunar to illegal foreign fishing vessels sighted near Maningrida, NT,” a spokesperson said.

“As the operation remains ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

“The community can be assured every report of suspected illegal fishing is taken seriously and we urge those with information about suspicious activity to report it to Border Watch online.”

ADV Cape Perron towing the three illegal fishing boats found near Maningrida.

The interceptions come just weeks after the announcement of Operation Lunar, which was launched in response to the spike of illegal fishing across the Top End.

While the Djelk rangers do not fall under his responsibility, Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan said the matter reinforced the need for Canberra to bolster its northern operations.

“I acknowledge that Australian Border Force has stepped up its efforts to stop illegal foreign fishing boats, but there are too many slipping through the net and finding their way to the mainland,” he said.

“This situation keeps putting Australia’s biosecurity at risk.”

Northern Land Council Chair Matthew Ryan has been calling for ranger groups to be up-gunned amid the rise of illegal fishing boats. Photo: Wayne Donoghue.

For several months, Aboriginal ranger groups have often been the first to observe and make contact with illegal fishermen and asylum-seekers who have infiltrated Australia’s borders.

While ranger groups do not currently possess the powers or means to respond to illegal foreign fishermen in the same way ABF or ADF members do, Mr Ryan said it was time their responsibilities were elevated.

“Rangers and community members are the ones who are spotting these boats; they have the local knowledge and see what’s going on,” he said.

“We need a coordinated, collaborative effort to stop illegal foreign fishing and that’s why it is time for the Federal Government to put pen to paper to formalise an agreement with Territory ranger groups.”