Another seven illegal boats and 43 foreign fishermen have been apprehended by Customs and Navy patrol vessels in ongoing operations targeting a seasonal surge in trepang poaching in Australia's northern waters.

Border Protection Command is co-ordinating the operation involving Customs and Defence aircraft and patrol boats.

The latest group of illegal vessels to be apprehended was spotted by Coastwatch aircraft on patrols of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone north-west of Darwin.

Australian Customs Vessels Triton and Hervey Bay responded to the initial sightings on December 8 and apprehended two vessels with a total of 12 crew on board.

Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) allegedly found up to 100kg of trepang on board one of the vessels. The other was allegedly equipped to fish in Australian waters. Both vessels were destroyed at sea.

Triton remained in the area and responded to further sightings around Evans Shoal, approximately 170 nautical miles (approx. 315km) from Darwin, on 9 December.

In a co-ordinated operation with HMAS Broome, officers boarded and apprehended a further five boats with a total of 31 crew on board.

The five vessels were destroyed at sea due to quarantine risks and their unseaworthy state.

All illegal fishers will be transferred to Darwin for processing. They are due to arrive late today (Monday 10 December).

Trepang, or sea cucumber, is generally found on exposed reefs and in shallow waters and favoured as a delicacy in parts of Asia. It is commonly targeted by poachers at this time of the year.

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