Australia and Indonesia are working together in a practical and cooperative spirit to address the problem of illegal fishing in Australia's northern waters, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison said today. Senator Ellison met with the Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Vice-Admiral (ret.) Freddy Numberi in Adelaide today.

"We agreed on a range of cooperative measures to advance our efforts on the problem of illegal fishing which is of concern to both our countries," Senator Ellison said.

Senator Ellison said Australian and Indonesian officials would meet in Jakarta at the end of this month to discuss coordinated anti-illegal fishing efforts, including coordinated patrols.

"I have invited Indonesian officials to participate in Australia's Border Protection Command activities to further strengthen the cooperation between our officials," Senator Ellison said. "It is essential that we build relationships between Indonesian and Australian personnel involved in border surveillance."

"I look forward to exchanging personnel from both countries to participate in border surveillance activities related to illegal fishing. A good example of this sort of cooperation already existed in the Southern Ocean involving France," Senator Ellison said.

Senator Ellison said that Australia would facilitate improved access for Indonesian officials to Indonesians detained for illegal fishing in Australian waters in order to allow the investigation of illegal fishing syndicates.

"This will help Indonesian authorities investigate organised illegal fishing syndicates operating in Indonesia and allow Indonesian officials to question Indonesian fishermen as to their involvement in organised illegal fishing syndicates, including establishing the identity of those behind the syndicates and their operations."

Senator Ellison said Indonesia had recently provided accreditation for an Australian Customs official and a representative from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to work from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in relation to the issue of illegal fishing.

"My meeting with Minister Numberi today underlined the very strong spirit of cooperation between Australia and Indonesia to tackle an issue of concern to both countries," Senator Ellison said

Media contact:
Matt Francis 02 6277 7260 / 0406 052 038