Operation Lunar: ABF catch and destroy Indonesian fishing boat

An image of the vessel shows multiple crew members huddled alongside their kit, ready to get rich. After the photo was snapped, an ABF boarding team intercepted the vessel, arrested the crew and destroyed the boat.

The first illegal fishers intercepted under Operation Lunar, Northern Territory. Picture: Supplied.

The Australian Border Force has caught and destroyed its first illegal fishing boat under the organisation’s newly-launched Operation Lunar, just hours after authorities announced the Northern Territory-specific campaign.

On Monday, December 9, ABF pilots sighted a suspicious vessel lingering in Australian waters just north of Croker Island, Arnhem Land.

An aerial photograph of the vessel, obtained by this masthead, shows multiple members of the crew huddled on deck alongside their kit.

After the photo was snapped, an ABF boarding team intercepted the vessel, ultimately seized 150 kilograms of salt and an assortment of fishing equipment.

It is understood the vessel was intercepted before the crew undertook extensive fishing.

Seven Indonesian fishers were detained by authorities and have been taken to Darwin for further investigation.

The boat was destroyed.

Operation Lunar acting commander Tracie Griffin said the seizure served as a warning to illegal fishers eyeing off the Territory’s coastline.

“This interception should serve as a timely reminder to those seeking to exploit Australia’s sovereign waters: ABF has enhanced its posture in the Northern Territory under Operation Lunar and you will be caught, lose your catch, and possibly your vessel.”

The Australian Border Force are expected to ramp up their operations of the Territory coastline.

Acting commander Griffin also commended her team’s early success.

“I once again commend the hardworking officers of Australian Border Force who work tirelessly with our partners, including AFMA and the community to protect Australia’s immense coastline,” she said.

“The community plays an important role in contributing to the success of our operations and I encourage members of the public to report suspicious activity to Border Watch online.”

Operation Lunar, announced on Monday, represents Maritime Border Command’s response to the spike in illegal fishing across the Top End.

Involving a multi-agency approach to monitoring the vast coastline, the operation was launched with a view to combine the expertise of ABF, Australia Defence Force, Australian Fisheries Management Authority and local rangers.

After enduring weeks of criticism by the Northern Land Council, MBC commander Rear Admiral Brett Sonter maintained the ABF officers valued the contribution of Aboriginal rangers.

“I cannot emphasise enough how important local knowledge and observations of First Nations communities is in the NT, in terms our informing our work to detect foreign fishing vessels across more than 10,000km of vast coastline.”