Sixteen illegal foreign fishers convicted
This is a joint media release from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
Sixteen Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in three separate cases at Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, 9 December 2025.
The matters arose from the following incidents:
- On 16 November 2025, Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended two Indonesian vessels fishing illegally near Ashmore Reef.
- On 30 November 2025, Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Oxley Island, Northern Territory.
ABF seized 40 kg of salt, used to process and preserve catch, navigation devices and a quantity of fishing equipment. The crews were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessels were seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law.
All fishers pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
Four were identified as having been before an Australian court for similar offending previously. Of those:
- One fisher had breached a good behaviour undertaking arising from offending in September 2025. For breaching this undertaking, he was resentenced on the original matter and fined $1,000. On the current charge, he received a four-week term of imprisonment and was released on a $1,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of two years.
- Three fishers had findings of guilt for similar offending in November 2024. On the current charges, they were each sentenced to four-week periods of imprisonment and released immediately on $1,000 recognisance orders to be of good behaviour for two years.
The remaining 12 fishers were released on undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of two years.
All fishers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia.
There have been 111 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:
“Australia does not tolerate illegal foreign fishing. Those who come to Australia and fish illegally in Australian waters will lose their catch, fishing gear and vessel.”
“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