Indonesian fishermen who were picked up off Australia’s Northern Territory in February have been seen their boat destroyed at sea and have all been convicted by the Darwin Local Court.
Intercepted near Croker Island, the Indonesian fishing vessel was found to have 339 shark fins on board. The catch, preserving salt and fishing gear were seized and the vessel destroyed at sea.
The skipper and six crew were subsequently released against $1000 undertakings of good behaviour for the next five years. All of the crew are to be deported to Indonesia as quickly as possible, with the exception of one who was found to have an outstanding warrant for a 2010 offence, earning him a 35-day prison sentence.
132 Indonesian fishermen have been prosecuted at Darwin Local Court since 1st July 2024.
