Illegal Indonesian fishers face Darwin Local Court after Cobourg Peninsula interception

The crew of an illegal fishing boat, which refused to leave Australian waters when directed to, have learned their fate, with the crew’s “master” copping the biggest penalty.

Thirteen Indonesian nationals have been sentenced after they were intercepted off the Territory coastline. Picture: Harry Brill.

A crew of illegal fishermen, who sailed their vessel back into Australian waters after being directed to leave, have learned their fate in court.

On Tuesday morning, 13 Indonesian nationals appeared in Darwin Local Court to plead guilty to using a foreign boat to fish in a Territorial sea.

The crew’s master, Amir, also pleaded guilty to having a foreign boat equipped for fishing in an Australian fishing zone.

The court heard the crew were first intercepted off Cobourg Island in northwestern Arnhem Land after a local identified three foreign vessels hidden in a narrow creek.

Investigators from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority deployed to the area where they came into contact with the Indonesian crew.

The crew was first intercepted on Cobourg Peninsula. Picture: Supplied.

The “master” of one of the vessels identified himself to authorities and said his crew were fishing for trepang.

AFMA directed the foreigners to leave Australian waters immediately and return home.

The court heard one of the vessels, however, did not follow direction.

“It travelled in a northerly direction, then in a westerly direction and then in a southerly direction back towards the Australian coastline,” the prosecutor said.

The crew being led away from Darwin Local Court. Picture: Harry Brill.

On October 11, 2024, the Royal Australian Navy intercepted the returning vessel, where the “master”, who spoke to authorities the day before, falsely identified himself using a different name.

The crew was taken into custody when navy personnel learned the crew had been intercepted less than 24 hours earlier.

In court, Judge Stephen Geary addressed the 13 masked defendants.

“You’re not welcome to fish here,” he said.

“If you come here again you can expect to go to jail.”

Beyond their illegal fishing exploits, Judge Geary noted the foreigners posed a “biosecurity risk” to the Top End

“I appreciate what drives you here is poverty and all of you are trying to provide for your family,” he said.

“But you can’t do that here.”

The crew master, Amir, was handed a $400 recognisance order.

“If you come back to Australia in the next two years fishing illegally you can expect to go to jail.”

The rest of the crew was handed a $300 recognisance order and put on a 12 month bond.

The court also heard the crew needed to fork out up to $60m Indonesian Rupiah in compensation to the boat owner awaiting them back home.