The Australian Border Force (ABF) has intensified its efforts against illegal Indonesian fishing, recently intercepting two boats off the Northern Territory. Last weekend, ABF officers arrested eight fishermen and destroyed the vessels, adding to their ongoing crackdown.
On Friday, officers discovered a boat illegally fishing near the Cobourg Peninsula, where they seized three shark fins and 500 kilos of sea cucumber, along with fishing gear. The boat was disposed of at sea, and the crew was apprehended. The following day, another illegal vessel was found in the same area, carrying 1,600 kilos of sea cucumber. The five crew members aboard were also arrested and transported to Darwin for prosecution.
The total haul of 2.1 tonnes of sea cucumber could have netted the fishermen approximately US$140,000, highlighting the lucrative risks foreign operators take in Australian waters. Fishing violations in Australia lead to criminal charges, with many resulting in guilty pleas. Recently, 11 Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegal fishing charges in Darwin Local Court, facing fines and potential imprisonment for nonpayment.
