Launched this month, Australian Border Force’s Operation Broadstaff is designed to keep foreign fishing acticity out of national waters.
Two vessels intercepted near Cape York have resulted in the detention of crews and the two boats being disposed of. Patrols found 510kg of salt on board the boats, as well as fishing gear, and evidence to suggest they had been engaged in illegal fishing. The salt was disposded of and the gear siezed, while crews of both were transferred to Darwin.
This follows an incident a few days previously in which two fishing vessels were intercepted, and escorted out of Australian waters, as they appeared to have not begun fishing.
‘These interceptions reinforce that Operation Broadstaff continues to achieve successful outcomes – detect illegal foreign fishing, act decisively on the water, and ensure unlawful activity in the Torres Strait is disrupted before it harms local communities or Sea Country,’ said Maritime Border Command acting deputy commander Brooke Dewar.
‘Operation BROADSTAFF brings together ABF capability, AFMA expertise and community reporting, giving us a coordinated approach to identifying illegal fishing activity and addressing it decisively.’
Since 1st January 2026, ABF has intercepted 15 foreign fishing vessels in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait.
