Crews of Customs and Navy patrol vessels, supported by Fisheries officers, have apprehended eight fishing boats and 71 crew found to be fishing illegally in the Torres Strait.

Border Protection Command (BPC) co-ordinated the response at the weekend to sightings by Coastwatch aircraft of trepang poachers operating in Australian waters around Warrior Reef.

The operation involved three Customs patrol boats - Dame Roma Mitchell, Hervey Bay and Holdfast Bay and two Navy vessels - HMAS Huon and HMAS Wollongong.

Eight motorized 'banana boats' were apprehended. All were towed to Thursday Island where they are being held by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

A total of 71 Papua New Guinean (PNG) fishers were detained. Consistent with the provisions of the Torres Strait Treaty between Australia and PNG, all of the fishers were taken to Daru Island and handed over to PNG authorities.

Seven of the eight illegal vessels had been fishing for trepang, or sea cucumber, which is generally found on exposed reefs and in shallow waters and favoured as a delicacy in parts of Asia.

The eighth vessel had been fishing for tropical rock lobsters.

Media inquiries:
Customs Media/BPC Media (02) 6275 6793 (24 hours).