Vision of the seizure here, vessel destruction here, and interview with Acting Commander Operation LUNAR Tracie Griffin here.
Images of seizure here.
Australian Border Force (ABF) has seized a record illegal haul of sea cucumber and detained 11 fishermen after another successful interception of a suspected illegal fishing operation in waters off the Northern Territory.
Officers from ABFC Cape Leveque boarded the vessel near Croker Island yesterday (Wednesday 18 December 2024), and spoke with the crew – 11 men – before seizing 3200kg of sea cucumber and 150kg of salt – used for preserving catch – and various items of fishing equipment.
This is the largest seizure of sea cucumber by the ABF from one fishing vessel.
ABF officers also seized crude dredging equipment which had been used by the crew to drag over the seabed and reefs to collect sea cucumber. This method is detrimental to the ecosystem, and removal of this amount of sea cucumber has the potential to impact local stocks.
Following consultation with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), the men were detained under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and will be escorted to Darwin as AFMA conducts further investigations.
The vessel will be destroyed under Australian law.
Intercepted as part of Australian Border Force (ABF)-led Operation LUNAR, this incident has occurred just days after three suspected illegal fishing vessels were caught in waters off Maningrida in the Northern Territory.
Operation LUNAR Acting Commander Tracie Griffin said it was clear the newly-formed operation was having an immediate impact on the illegal fishing surge in the region.
“We have responded to the increased sightings of illegal fishing vessels off the NT coast with a bolstered presence at sea and in the air, and our message is clear: illegal fishers will be caught and they will lose their catch," Acting Commander Griffin said.
Operation LUNAR involves a multi-agency task force in the Northern Territory, providing an enhanced posture, coordinating assets from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the ABF's air and patrol vessels, along with additional support provided by AFMA.
Acting Commander Griffin added Australia implemented a multi-faceted response to illegal fishing, including enforcement actions at sea, targeted operations, and on-going collaborative operations with Indonesian authorities.
“The ABF remains committed to protecting our vulnerable marine resources and delicate ecosystems and we are proactively targeting irregular foreign fishing in Australian waters," Acting Commander Griffin said.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia's borders is urged to contact Border Watch.
Illegal fishing activity in Australian waters can also be reported to Australian authorities by contacting CRIMFISH on 1800 274 634 or intelligence@afma.gov.au.
By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border and the community. Information can be provided anonymously.
Media contact: media@abf.gov.au
