Foreign nationals found on Top End coastline: Northern Land Council

A dehydrated group of foreign nationals have been found on the Top End coastline by rangers, with the Australian Border Force told to “do their job properly” by a senior council leader.

Four foreigners have been smuggled onto Australian shores and found by Top End rangers. Picture: Northern Land Council.

A dehydrated group of foreign nationals have been found on the Top End coastline by rangers, with the Australian Border Force told to “do their job properly” by a senior land council leader.

It is understood the four foreigners were dropped off by an illegal fishing boat after paying US $6000 to the crew.

The smugglers dumped the group on Peacock Island early on Sunday morning, from which the group walked to the nearby Croker Island at low tide.

One man from the group went to seek help, stumbling across the Wanakutja Outstation where locals from the Minjilang community were called to assist.

A second man was found walking to Alamirra where rangers were camped as part of a marine research project.

The remaining two foreigners were picked up separately.

The group was suffering from exhaustion and dehydration, with rangers providing them first aid, food, water and swags until they were handed over to ABF and NT Police.

A foreign fishing boat captured by Arnhem Land locals. Source: Northern Land Council.

NLC Chair Matthew Ryan called on the Federal Government to address the matter.

“This example of people smuggling by illegal foreign fishermen makes it very clear there is no room for complacency,” he said.
“We need a much tougher approach from Federal government authorities.”

Mr Ryan’s call for action after pleading the Albanese Government to step up its effort in combating illegal foreigners off the Arnhem coastline.

“Now we know for sure that they’re people smuggling as well, which takes it to a whole new level,” he said.

“These poor blokes were dumped with no food or water and left to fend for themselves; and it’s no exaggeration to say that without the help from our rangers and Croker Island community members, they would have been in very deep trouble.”

Mr Ryan took aim at the ABF.

“Rangers play an important role in supporting AFMA and ABF to keep our Country and Australia safe, and the Federal Government must make sure ranger groups are properly resourced and equipped,” he said.

“The ABF say they’re not ‘overly concerned’ but we are, and are calling on them to do their job properly.”

The ABF declined to comment.

Illegal fishermen broke into cars, stole fuel, Top End council claims

Arnhem Land locals have claimed a crew of illegal fishers camped on their beach, broke into their cars and stole their fuel.

On Monday, the Northern Land Council called for the Albanese Government to bolster Australia’s northern borders, claiming an influx of illegal boats had been encroaching on sovereign soil.

The NLC claimed Bawinanga Rangers sighted a foreign fishing boat concealed beneath the mangroves near Maningrida in early November, with its crew members seen swimming and wandering along the beach at Rolling Bay.

South of Warruwi, crew members who were camping on the beach moved inland, breaking into cars and stealing fuel and oil, according to the NLC.

NLC Chair Matthew Ryan says more needs to be done to stop illegal fishers. Picture: Supplied.

A further vessel was sighted by Garngi Rangers on the north western side of Croker Island, with the carcasses of two sharks with their fins and tails removed found washed up on the east coast of Cape Croker.

NLC chair Matthew Ryan bemoaned the rise in illegal activity.

“The Territory’s West Arnhem coastline is being targeted by illegal fishermen because it’s so close to Indonesia, and there has been a distinct spike in boat numbers,” he said.

“These foreign fishing crews have been camping on Aboriginal land and people in our communities are worried because they know the fishermen have a lot to lose and they don’t know how far they’ll go to protect their stolen stock.”

The NLC says the illegal fishers were concealed in the mangroves.

On October 30, 2024, 13 Indonesian nationals were sentenced in Darwin Local Court after plundering waters off Cobourg Peninsula.

It was heard in court the crew returned to Australian waters after being asked to leave by authorities.

On Tuesday morning, a separate group of foreign fisherman were also seen at local court.

Thirteen Indonesian nationals were sentenced in October for illegally fishing in the same region. Picture: Harry Brill.

Mr Ryan said current measures in deterring criminal activity were insufficient.

“It’s not good enough to simply tell these people to leave Australian waters, we need a much stronger approach to stop them stealing our resources,” he said.

“Crew members of each and every illegal fishing vessel should be prosecuted.”

Mr Ryan called for federal authorities to tie-in with local rangers.

“Our rangers are the frontline monitors of our coast and they are in an ideal position to work alongside the Federal Government agencies to help address this situation,” he said.

“That’s why the NLC continues to seek better resources and more on-ground support for our rangers.”

The Australian Border Force works closely with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, which is primarily responsible for intercepting and apprehending illegal foreign fishers.

The ABF did not say whether there had been a spike in illegal boats in the region. Picture: Harry Brill.

An ABF spokesperson did not say whether there had been a spike in illegal boats, but maintained various government agencies were operating in the region.

“The ABF works with a number of federal and territory agencies in the Northern Territory in relation to border related issues, including incursions.”

The spokesperson said authorities took a “multifaceted” approach to combating such criminal activities, and emphasised the importance of tip-offs.

“The community has an important role to play in protecting our border and anyone with information relating to suspicious activities should contact Border Watch,” they said.

“It’s important for authorities including ABF to stay engaged with our communities, and we appreciate their local knowledge and observations are an invaluable contribution to the work being done.”

Originally published as Foreign nationals found on Top End coastline: Northern Land Council