Australian court jails Indonesian fishers found on land
This is a joint media release from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
Twelve Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in two separate cases at Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.
The first matter arose from an incident on 5 December 2025, where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Vashon Head, Northern Territory.
ABF seized 400 kg of sea cucumber and various fishing equipment. The crew was detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessel was seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law.
Four fishers were charged and pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth). Each was released on a $2,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for three years.
The second matter arose from an incident on 9 December 2025, when Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers detected an Indonesian vessel in mangroves on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory.
The crew was apprehended by Northern Territory Police. ABF identified a quantity of sea cucumber on board the vessel and AFMA subsequently initiated an investigation into suspected illegal fishing offences.
Eight fishers were charged and pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
The master of the vessel and four crew members were identified as repeat offenders and received the following sentences:
- The master 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 fisher 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 $2,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of three years.
The remaining three crew members were released on $2,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of six years.
All fishers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia after serving any applicable period of imprisonment.
There have been 123 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since 1 July 2025.
AFMA, in partnership with ABF, undertakes targeted operations to intercept illegal fishing operations to protect the sustainability of Australia’s fisheries resources and border security.
Australian authorities work with the Indonesian Government to address illegal fishing at its source, through the delivery of public information campaigns within Indonesian fishing communities, the distribution of educational material, targeted social media campaigns, and proactive engagement with fishers.
Quotes attributable to AFMA’s General Manager, Fisheries Operations, Mr Justin Bathurst:
“Illegally fishing in Australia is not worth the risk. Foreign fishers found in Australian waters face serious penalties including seizure of catch, equipment, their vessel and potential imprisonment.”
“AFMA and Maritime Border Command remain resolute in our commitment to detect, apprehend and prosecute illegal foreign fishers.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Commander Maritime Border Command, Linda Cappello:
“The message is clear: don’t fish illegally in Australian waters. You will be caught, and you will pay the price.”
Illegal fishing activity in Australian waters can be reported to Australian authorities by contacting CRIMFISH on 1800 274 634 or intelligence@afma.gov.au.
For more information:
Media: media@afma.gov.au or 0437 869 860
www.afma.gov.au
