The tally of Indonesian fishermen passing through the Darwin Local Court in Australia continues to rise, with 123 prosecuted there since 1st July last year.
In December two crews appeared before the court. Four fishermen intercepted fishing off Northern Territory pleased guilty and were released on bonds of $2000 and undertakings to be of good behaviour for three years. The vessel was seized and destroyed at sea.
A second crew of eight was apprehended on board an Indonesian vessel deteced hidden in Mangroves on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory. The skipper of this vessel and four crew were identified as repeat offenders. The skipper was resentenced to a six-week period of imprisonment on a matter from January 2025. On the current charges, he was sentenced to a four-month period of imprisonment.
One crewman was taken into custody following the execution of two outstanding warrants. On the current matter, he was additionally sentenced to a one-month period of imprisonment. Two crew were found to have breached good behaviour bonds imposed in October 2024 and were resentenced to one-month periods of imprisonment on those matters. On the current charges, each received a two-month period of imprisonment. One crew member was sentenced to a three-month period of imprisonment, to be released after six weeks on a $2000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of three years.
The remaining three crew members were released on $2000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of six years.
All of those fishermen detained in Australia are deported as soon as periods of imprisonment are completed.
