Nineteen Indonesian nationals pleaded responsible to illegally fishing in Australian waters in three separate instances at Darwin Native Court docket on Tuesday, 8 July 2025.
The issues arose from incidents the place Australian authorities recognized, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally on June 22, 2025 within the Cobourg Marine Park, Northern Territory and two Indonesian vessels fishing illegally on June 25, 2025 close to Maningrida, Northern Territory.
The crews have been detained, and the Australian Border Power (ABF) seized the vessels. The vessels have been destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian legislation.
Authorities seized a complete of 130 kg of sea cucumber, 390 kg of salt used to course of and protect catch, navigational aids and numerous fishing gear.
All fishers have been charged with offences in opposition to the Fisheries Administration Act 1991 (Cth).
The masters of the three vessels have been every fined A$6,000 ($3,925) and 15 crew members have been every fined A$3,500. One crew member with a earlier discovering of guilt for related offending was fined A$4,000. All fines are payable inside 28 days with potential phrases of imprisonment within the occasion of default.
All fishers will likely be faraway from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia on the earliest alternative.
Australian authorities work with the Indonesian Authorities to handle unlawful fishing at its supply, by way of the supply of public data campaigns inside Indonesian fishing communities, the distribution of instructional materials, focused social media campaigns and proactive engagement with fishers.
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