FAQs

CRIMFISH Frequently Asked Questions

What is CRIMFISH?

CRIMFISH (1800 274 634) is the national hotline dedicated to illegal fishing activity in Australia.

Who runs CRIMFISH?

CRIMFISH is administered by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).

What type of illegal fishing does CRIMFISH cover?

CRIMFISH covers recreational fishing, commercial fishing, foreign fishing and marine park trespass.

Is illegal fishing a problem?

Illegal and unregulated fishing is a major problem because it makes it harder to measure and manage fish stocks. AFMA is dedicated to managing sustainable fish stocks which are commercially viable.

Why should I report illegal fishing?

The commercial fishing industry employs 3000 people and is worth $2 billion to the Australian economy. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing can impact on the financial viability of businesses and families involved in the fishing industry that are doing the right thing.

How do I report illegal fishing?

See the CRIMFISH page for more details.

Can I stay anonymous?

Yes you can stay anonymous, only include the details you want to provide.

How do I know if it is illegal fishing?

It may be suspicious activity on or near water at strange hours or an activity that has never occurred in that area in the past. For example: nets across a river, a commercial trawler in an inland waterway, people offering to sell fresh fish from the boot of a car.

What happens after I report illegal fishing to CRIMFISH?

Your information will be checked against our records and it may be forwarded to the relevant jurisdiction for further investigation.

How much detail do you need?

As much as possible, type of boat, method of fishing, time, date, place, vehicles seen, what type of fish being caught and if they were selling the fish what price.

Can I get an update of the information I provided?

The response you get may be general in nature due to privacy regulations or an ongoing investigation.