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Record illegal fishing boat haul
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia
Eight foreign fishing boats seized overnight - 19 now apprehended in four days
17th May 2003
Federal Fisheries Minister Senator Ian Macdonald says Australian authorities have broken up a massive illegal fishing operation targeting sea cucumber, seizing eight boats inside the Australian Fishing Zone last night.
Senator Macdonald said the apprehension of the eight Indonesian fishing boats near Ashmore Reef off north-western Australia follows the seizure of another 11 Indonesian boats in just three days off Arnhem Land, and in the Gulf of Carpentaria earlier this week.
Early this afternoon (16 May), another illegal boat was apprehended in the Gulf of Carpentaria by a Customs Patrol Boat - all of these 11 boats where targeting sharks for their fins.
Senator Macdonald said the seizure of the 19 boats, which were all being towed or escorted to Darwin, was the biggest haul ever of illegal fishing vessels in such a short period of time.
These apprehensions show that the $75 million investment in last year's Budget for increased surveillance and apprehension capacity across the north of Australia is paying dividends.
"In the latest incident, two Australian vessels, the patrol boat HMAS Cessnock, and Customs boat Dame Roma Mitchell, last night stopped and boarded eight boats in a group several kilometres inside our exclusive economic zone (EEZ)" Senator Macdonald said.
"The boats had previously been sighted by a Coastwatch surveillance aircraft near Hibernia Reef. When approached by the two patrol vessels, they scattered, but were eventually rounded up.
"All of these illegal boats had diving equipment and compressors on board, as well as catches of trepang (sea cucumber) totalling several tonnes. At least 60 crew were on board the eight boats.
"Trepang is a highly prized delicacy, which attracts high prices in south east Asian markets.
"What is just as worrying, is that many of these fishermen dive without proper equipment, rest breaks and safety protocols. Our officers find that some are experiencing long-term side effects of the 'bends', and require treatment, either in decompression chambers, or in our hospitals.
"Once all the illegal vessels reach Darwin, Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) officers will begin the lengthy task of interviewing the skippers and crew, before considering whether any charges should be laid under the Commonwealth Fisheries Management Act 1991."
Senator Macdonald said a total of 53 boats had been apprehended since the start of 2003.
"The Howard Government is determined to protect our fisheries whether in the North or the far South of Australia's EEZ," he said. "Australia is so very well served by our very professional Navy, Coastwatch and Customs officers, and I congratulate them all on this latest effort".
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