The foreign fishing vessel Shuen Man has been directed to port for further investigation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) into possible illegal fishing offences in Australian waters.

In a joint operation coordinated by Border Protection Command, Australian Customs Vessel Dame Roma Mitchell boarded the 35-metre long-liner Shuen Man on Thursday 22 March 2007. The vessel was intercepted approximately 258 nautical miles north of Lord Howe Island and about 65 nautical miles inside the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone.

The vessel was initially detected by a Coastwatch surveillance aircraft approximately 265 nautical miles north of Lord Howe Island earlier this week.

The vessel is flagged to Taiwan. On board are 15 male crew; nine who claim to be Indonesian, four who claim to be Chinese and two who claim to be Taiwanese.

Shuen Man is currently under escort into Brisbane by ACV Dame Roma Mitchell and NSW Water Police vessel Alert, which is acting on behalf of AFMA. The vessels are expected to arrive overnight tonight.

Alert rendezvoused with Dame Roma Mitchell and Shuen Man on Friday and transferred officers from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to Shuen Man to commence their investigation. ACV Arnhem Bay joined the group overnight to provide additional support and escort into port.

The Shuen Men's crew will be detained on arrival in Brisbane and subject to Customs processing before being transferred to the custody of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Quarantine officers will board the vessel on arrival, inspect it for biosecurity risks and undertake appropriate treatments if necessary.

The operation is being co-ordinated by the Border Protection Command in Canberra, which is charged with detecting and responding to incursions in Australian waters using resources from a range of government agencies.

Customs Acting National Director Enforcement and Investigation, Brian Hurrell, said the swift response to the alleged incursion was clear evidence of the agency's ability to take action anywhere around the Australian coast.

Media inquiries:
For further details contact Customs Corporate Communication (02) 6275 6793 (24 hours).

Media Note:
Images of Customs officers boarding the Sheun Man are available by contacting Customs.

File vision of Customs patrol vessels is available at http://customs.ondeadline.com.au