The latest addition to the Customs border protection fleet, the ACV Triton has made its first apprehensions of illegal foreign fishing vessels off north-western Australia, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison said today.

The Triton apprehended two illegal foreign fishing vessels overnight after they had been detected by Coastwatch surveillance aircraft approximately 73 nautical miles south-east of the Ashmore Islands.

Both fishing boats were located approximately 64 nautical miles inside the Australian fishing zone. They were assessed as quarantine risks and unsuitable for towing. The vessels were destroyed at sea.

Six people on the vessels have been detained and are being transported to Broome for processing.

Triton is a 98-metre trimaran that commenced operations with Customs earlier this month. It has the capability to stay at sea for extended periods and travel at speeds of up to 20 knots.

Senator Ellison said the Triton is a significant boost to Australia's border protection capabilities and combating illegal fishing in northern Australian waters.

"It augments enforcement activities undertaken by Customs and navy patrol boats and other assets that the new Border Protection Command has available to it when tackling the problem of illegal foreign fishing."

Senator Ellison said the Howard Government had allocated $17 million in the last Budget to provide for this year-long patrol deployment, as part of a $389 million funding increase over four years to support a new anti-illegal fishing strategy.

Media contact:
Matt Francis 0406 052 038