The skipper of an Indonesian illegal fishing vessel has been convicted of offences under Australia’s fisheries and environment legislation, after being caught in May this year illegally fishing two nautical miles inside the Ashmore Reef Marine Park.
A repeat offender, the man faced Darwin Local Court last week and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended after four months, and handed a three-year good behaviour bond.
An Australian Border Force (ABF) surveillance aircraft under the control of Maritime Border Command (MBC) spotted the vessel inside the sanctuary zone on 22nd May 2019, approximately 630 km north of Broome, Western Australia. MBC tasked ABF vessel Cape Sorrell to respond to the sighting and observed the crew hauling longline fishing gear and sharks on board.
The crew and their vessel were apprehended in a joint operation by MBC, a multi-agency taskforce within the ABF, and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). Several whole sharks, dry shark flesh and dry shark fin were found on board.
Investigations by AFMA and Parks Australia for breaches of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 respectively, led to charges being laid against the skipper. The six remaining crew are in the process of being repatriated.
‘In addition to prosecuting offenders, we work closely with countries within the south-east Asian region and run education programs to inform fishers of the risks and consequences of illegally fishing in Australian waters,’ said AFMA’s General Manager of Fisheries Operations Peter Venslovas
‘It is important for us to continue this work so that our fish resources and marine eco systems are protected for the benefit of current and future generations of Australians.’
‘The ABF is absolutely vigilant when it comes to keeping Australian waters secure, and this conviction shows that anyone who attempts this type of illegal behaviour will face the full force of the law,’ commented Rear Admiral Lee Goddard, Commander of Maritime Border Command.
