Customs and Border Protection Media Release

Two foreign fishing vessels apprehended in Australian Fishing Zone - 7 December 2010

Joint media release with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority

Operations coordinated by Border Protection Command have led to the apprehension of two foreign fishing vessels suspected of illegally fishing inside the Australian Fishing Zone on Saturday 4 December 2010.

The first vessel was initially detected approximately 118 nautical miles north-west of Cape Wessel, Northern Territory, by a Customs and Border Protection Dash-8 surveillance aircraft.

HMAS LARRAKIA, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, responded to the area and, with the assistance of a subsequent Customs and Border Protection Dash-8 aircraft, relocated the vessel in a position approximately 132 nautical miles north-west of Cape Wessel.

The vessel was boarded by crew from HMAS LARRAKIA approximately 29 nautical miles inside the Australian Fishing Zone and a quantity of shark-fin was found onboard and fishing equipment was found in the water. At the request of Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the vessel and six crew members were apprehended by HMAS LARRAKIA under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and were escorted back to Darwin for further investigation.

The second vessel was initially boarded by crew from HMAS ARMIDALE, operating under the control of Border Protection Command, approximately 97 nautical miles north-east of Ashmore Islands.

A quantity of trepang, a sedentary species, was found onboard the vessel, as well as equipment suspected to be related to diving, including an air compressor. It is an offence to take sedentary species from this area of Australian seabed jurisdiction.

At the request of AFMA, the vessel and nine crew members were apprehended by crew from HMAS ARMIDALE under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. Due to the unseaworthiness of the vessel AFMA authorised the destruction of the vessel at sea. HMAS ARMIDALE has taken the crew members back to Darwin for further investigation.

In both cases, AFMA will investigate the matter and consider the evidence before a decision to prosecute will be taken.

Border Protection Command has a total of up to 18 vessels and up to 14 aircraft patrolling Australian waters 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Under the control of Border Protection Command, officers from Customs and Border Protection, the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service will continue to work together to monitor and manage maritime threats to Australia.

Media enquiries:
Contact Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793