Two Vietnamese fishing vessels were apprehended off North Queensland over the Easter weekend, suspected of fishing illegally in Australian waters. The Australian Border Force’s Maritime Border Command (MBC) worked with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to board the suspected vessels following a Queensland police report on their activities.
MBC and AMFA officers found 28 crewmen on the two boats, a large amount of hookah diving gear and an amount of what is believed to be illegally harvested bêche-de-mer (sea cucumber).
A Queensland Police vessel had initially sighted the two fishing vessels south east of Cape Direction, and following contact with MBC, an Australian Border Force Dash-8 aircraft was able to locate and identify the vessels, before HMAS Childers and ABFC Roebuck Bay boarded and apprehended the vessels shortly after.
The vessels were towed to Cairns where further investigation is being undertaken by AFMA and any offenders are expected to be prosecuted.
Commander MBC, Rear Admiral Peter Laver, commended the joint efforts of MBC and AFMA officers who continue to work tirelessly, including during the Easter period, to ensure Australia’s waters remain free from illegal fishing.
‘Australia’s waters are an important economic resource and it is important that our fisheries are maintained and protected,’ Rear Admiral Laver said.
‘While most of us enjoyed a break over the long weekend, our officers at sea, and in the air, were hard at work in making these apprehensions.’
AFMA General Manager, Fisheries Operations, Peter Venslovas said the apprehension of these boats is a reminder that Australia must remain vigilant when it comes to protecting its marine resources.
‘AFMA will continue to work with MBC to ensure illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing does not occur in Australian waters,’ he said.
Australian Border Force
