August 8, 2024
Jump in illegal boats entering WA's northern waters
Australian authorities have prosecuted 19 illegal fishermen this financial year a quarter of the total made last year amid continuing concerns about the security of the nation's northern borders.
But maritime patrols of Australia's northern waters have fallen for the third year in a row.
The West Australian can reveal the new numbers after authorities captured another four illegal fishing boats, this time in Kuri Bay, north of Broome, once alerted to their presence by local fishing tour operators on Tuesday.
There has been a huge swell in illegal fishing in the wake of the pandemic due to tourism operations shutting down and soaring prices for sea cucumber and shark fins.
WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti questioned whether there were enough resources to keep watch on more than 30,000km of coast.
"We have always said that we believe we should have a better presence, a bigger presence from Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force off the Kimberley and the North West," she said.
"It is a massive coastline. It is a very big area to protect."
But Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the joint operation the first to tackle illegal fishing had been a success so far. "Our position on illegal fishing is very clear, if you are committing a crime in Australian waters you will be tracked down by our agencies and face the full force of Australian law," he said.
"The joint operation ensures that all available assets are being used to tackle this problem and it has been hugely successful at capturing and seizing or destroying the boats, catch and equipment of criminal fishers."
An ABF spokesperson encouraged people to report anything suspicious, as happened with the boat seizures this week.
"With well in excess of 30,000km of coastline to protect vast amounts of which is situated in very remote areas we are not naive enough to suggest that we can be everywhere at any one time, which is why members of the public are important," the spokesperson said.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority works with the ABF to deter illegal fishing along with patrols watching for people smugglers and other unlawful activity.
Authorities prosecuted 76 Indonesian fishers in 2023-24, The West can reveal. They also burned or sunk 58 boats.
In July alone, in the new financial year, one boat was disposed of and 19 Indonesians were found guilty of illegal fishing.
This included five people who pleaded guilty in a Darwin court on July 31.
Their boat, carrying a "substantial quantity" of fishing equipment including 60m of gill net was seized along with 20kg of various finfish and eight dhufish swim bladders, which authorities said were highly sought after in Asian markets.
Court-imposed punishments have been up to $8000 fines and five-year good behaviour bonds with thousands of dollars paid as sureties.
Security experts and the Opposition have previously raised concerns the increase in illegal fishing ventures could be disguising people smuggling boats.
Authorities returned four people smuggling ventures, carrying a total of 24 people, in the last financial year, new Border Force figures show.
A further six ventures were reported to have reached Australian shores including those who arrived in Beagle Bay and near Truscott air base in 2023-24.
Shadow home affairs minister James Paterson said this was a test for Mr Burke to make the necessary investments to "reverse this downward spiral" and protect the borders.
