Eighteen Indonesian nationals found guilty of illegal fishing
Eighteen Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in three separate cases at Darwin Local Court on 13 May 2025.
The matters arose from incidents where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended Indonesian vessels fishing illegally on the following occasions:
- on 7 April 2025, near New Year Island, Northern Territory
- on 15 April 2025, near North Eclipse Island, Western Australia, and
- on 20 April 2025, near Browse Island, Western Australia.
Authorities seized dried fish, more than 600 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch, mobile phones, GPS devices and a range of fishing equipment.
The crews were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. ABF seized the fishing vessels, with each being destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian law.
Eighteen fishers were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
The master of one vessel was released on a $3,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years. The masters of the remaining two vessels were released on $3,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years.
Regarding the remaining crew:
- One fisher was identified as having been released on a good behaviour undertaking in January 2025 for similar offending. On the current matter, he was released on a further $2,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years.
- One fisher was identified as having been released on a good behaviour undertaking in November 2024 for similar offending. On the current matter, he was released on a further $3,500 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of 4 years.
- Thirteen fishers were released on $500 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years.
All fishers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia at the earliest opportunity.
There have been 194 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since 1 July 2024.
AFMA, in partnership with ABF, continues to target illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters to protect our precious marine resources.
Australian authorities are also using other measures to combat illegal fishing at its source, including 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:
“AFMA and our partner agencies remain focused on identifying those who continue to fish illegally in Australian waters. The message remains clear. If you choose to break the law and fish illegally you will be caught.”
Quotes attributable to Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter:
“These apprehensions and prosecutions send a clear warning: Australian waters are not open for exploitation. If you choose to come here to fish illegally, you will be caught, you will likely lose your equipment and vessel, and you will be prosecuted.”
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
