Fishermen fined $39,000 for illegal act in Australian waters: 'We will find you'

Yahoo

4 days ago

'We will find you.'
That's the stern message from border force officials aimed at foreign vessels illegally fishing in Australian waters. It comes after two crews were caught off Australia's coastline, resulting in a total of $39,000 in fines and two boats destroyed at sea.
On July 23, Australian Border Force [ABF] officials with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority [AFMA] intercepted a boat near Adele Island, north of Broome in Western Australia.
They seized 66 shark fins, 120 kilograms of salt used to preserve catch, and various fishing gear. Shark fins are considered a delicacy in some cultures and can attract a high price, especially as finning has been banned by many countries.
In Australia, it is illegal to possess shark fins on a boat without the rest of the shark's body present. This is to curb finning at sea, which involves cutting off the fins and dumping the shark's body overboard. On rare occasions, the sharks may still be alive during this process but will drown in the water if it is unable to swim.
Five crew members were detained and taken to Darwin for further investigation. One crew member, already wanted over a previous offence, was jailed and fined $10,000.
The vessel's master was hit with a $9,000 fine, a recidivist crew member $3,000, and two others $1,500 each — totalling $25,000 in fines. The vessel involved was destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian law.
The crackdown follows another intercepted vessel that was caught off Ashmore Island just four days earlier.
Border Force officials seized 40kg of salt along with fishing equipment, including a 300-metre longline.
Six crew members on board were hit with heavy penalties, with the ship's master fined $6,000, a repeat offender fined $2,000 and four other crew members fined $1,500 each.
Their vessel was also destroyed at sea. Crew members from both vessels will be returned to Indonesia.
Blunt message for those daring to fish illegally
Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, who leads the Maritime Border Command, had a blunt message for foreign vessels.
"For people considering fishing illegally in Australia, our message is clear. We will find you, take your catch, destroy your boats and fishing equipment, and you will be prosecuted. Do not put your livelihood at risk by coming to Australia to fish illegally," he said.
AFMA's General Manager of Fisheries Operations, Mr Justin Bathurst, said illegal fishing poses a "serious threat" to the nation's fishing industry and marine environment.
"AFMA and our partner agencies remain absolutely committed to detecting, apprehending and prosecuting those who fish illegally in Australian waters," he said.
"Those who choose to fish illegally in Australian waters face serious legal penalties, including potential jail time. They also risk losing their vessel and fishing gear. It is not worth the risk."
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