Australia’s hard line on poachers continues with the interception this week of a Papua New Guinea-registered fishing vessel in Australian waters by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
The Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Byron boarded the PNG-registered fishing vessel about 2.90 nautical miles inside the Australian EEZ, west of Thursday Island after it had already been identified crossing the line by HMAS Adelaide and a surveillance flight.
Officers from Cape Byron boarded the vessel and located 500kg of fresh fish and about 9000kg of fish in freezer compartments.
The 29 people on board the fishing vessel were detained and will be brought to Australia for further investigation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Peter Laver praised the joint efforts of Maritime Border Command and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and said the apprehensions highlight the capability of both agencies.
‘We are monitoring our waters 24/7 and are highly responsive to any sign of illegal activity, he said.
‘Australia’s maritime domain exceeds 10 million square kilometres, but no matter where these boats are, MBC and AFMA officers will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Australia’s waters remain free from illegal fishing.’
‘Australia’s well managed Commonwealth fisheries are tempting for foreign fishing vessels, commented AFMA’s General Manager Fisheries Operations, Peter Venslovas. ‘It is the continued cooperation between AFMA and MBC that ensures poachers will be caught. Those attempting to steal from our marine environments should be on notice – they will be caught.’
This apprehension comes a day after 16 foreign fishermen from Vietnam were convicted of illegal fishing within Australian waters, receiving suspended sentences and their vessel was confiscated by AFMA and destroyed.
