Three illegal foreign fishing vessels will arrive into Darwin today following an
operation coordinated by Border Protection Command and involving Customs,
Defence and Australian Fisheries Management Authority officers (AFMA), over the
weekend.

On 25 August 2007 a Customs Coastwatch aircraft on a maritime surveillance mission
detected four foreign fishing vessels in the Australian Fishing Zone, in the vicinity of
Evans Shoal, north of Darwin. The Coastwatch aircraft initiated hot pursuit of three
of the foreign fishing vessels, the fourth vessel proceeded out of the Australian
Fishing Zone on a different course to the other three. A Royal Australian Air Force
AP-3C maritime patrol aircraft took over the hot pursuit from the Coastwatch aircraft
and Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Albany was directed to intercept.

HMAS Albany boarded one foreign fishing vessel while the AP-3C Orion maritime
patrol aircraft continued hot pursuit of the remaining fishing vessels. The AP-3C
aircraft directed HMAS Albany to the exact location to intercept and board the two
other vessels. With three vessels and twenty nine foreign fishers intercepted, ANZAC
frigate HMAS Perth was tasked to assist and took over from Albany to escort the
fishers into Darwin today.

AFMA officers requested the foreign fishing vessels along with their catch of trepang,
be brought into Darwin for investigation. The crew of the foreign fishing vessels will
be handed over to Customs officers on arrival into Darwin for processing and transfer
to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship custody.

'This successful operation is made possible by the close coordination of government
agencies working together. While there has been a significant reduction in incursions
by illegal foreign fishing vessels into the Australian Fishing Zone our border patrols
in the region will continue to act as a strong deterrent against illegal activity,'
Commander Border Protection Command, Rear Admiral James Goldrick said.

Media Contact:
Lieutenant Tracy Bellerby 0409 662 802 Headquarters Northern Command, Darwin

Issued by Headquarters Border Protection Command
Customs House, Canberra. Media Contact: Manager Communications (02) 6275 6791