Indonesian, Australian Fishing Vessels Strict Action: We Must Fight Illegal Fishing

Burning of fishing boats by Australian authorities. (Source: Australian Border Force via ABC News)

JAKARTA - Australian authorities take firm action against a number of Indonesian fishing boats suspected of violating the border area, capturing marine products in Australian waters, by destroying and expelling the vessels.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has released photos showing small, colorful boats on fire at sea following a three-day operation near Rowley Shoals Marine Park off the northern coast of Western Australia.

The operation was launched after local tour operators became concerned about the presence of dozens of foreign vessels in the region, with incidents of ship hijacking.

Rear Admiral Mark Hill, head of Australia's Maritime Border Command, said three ships were destroyed, while 13 others were escorted out of Australian waters.

"We had a busy weekend where we found 16 vessels fishing illegally, and responded together with WA Fisheries. It demonstrates the determination that we must fight illegal fishing, not only in the Rowley Shoals area, but across the entire north of the country. this," he explained, citing ABC News November 8.

Fishing gear was confiscated from vessels before being taken out of Australian waters, and a total of 630 kilograms of sea cucumbers – or sea cucumbers – were seized.

Admiral Hill said Indonesian fishermen did not seem surprised by the crackdown. Security forces confiscated fishing gear and a total of 630 sea cucumbers, from the boats before being chased out.

"They're used to it, because unfortunately we see some recidivists. In general the fishermen are quite obedient, they're not aggressive, and they do what we ask them to do," he explained.

However, none of the fishermen have been detained or prosecuted, although that was an option previously pursued by the authorities.

Separately, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) in its statement assured the Australian public, that the Kangaroo State authority does not tolerate this illegal activity.

Citing information on its website, AFMA works closely with the Maritime Border Command (MBC), a joint agency task force activated by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Defense Force (ADF) to prevent Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing ( IUU), and protect valuable fish stocks from exploitation by illegal foreign fishing vessels.

MBC has deployed Operation JAWLINE, a targeted operation to combat IUU and to counter the recent increase in attacks by foreign fishing vessels (FFV) operating in Australian waters. Expanded operations to counter Indonesian FFV attacks include additional ship patrol activities by MBC vessels, supported by aerial surveillance flights.

"Recently our efforts have been fueled by joint operations between AFMA officers and Marine Officers from the WA Regional Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Development, using their large offshore patrol boats," the AFMA said.

Between 1 July 2021 and 15 October 2021, Operation Jawline has resulted in the destruction of 15 illegal foreign fishing vessels, as well as the confiscation of fishing gear and catch of an additional 86 vessels.

Indonesian vessels entering the AFZ (Australian Fishing Zone) have targeted beche-de-mer (sea cucumbers) around Cartier, Ashmore and Scott Reef in waters north of Western Australia and further south at Rowley Shoals, the AFMA said. .

AFMA and other Australian government agencies, including the Australian Border Force, are working with Indonesian officials to distribute fisheries law enforcement charts, translated into Indonesian, to fishing communities in the port of Kupang and on the island of Rote in the province of East Nusa Tenggara.

"This chart is part of a broader engagement campaign, which includes public meetings by Indonesian officials seeking to educate fishermen in key ports to outline the risks of illegal fishing in Australian waters," the AFMA said.

"Our message to foreign fishermen who choose to fish outside the rules is simple. We will intercept you, you will lose your catch, your equipment and maybe even your boat. The confiscation of fishing gear and ship disposal serves as a reminder to those who wish to exploit them. Australian marine resources that Australian authorities do not tolerate such illegal activity," the AFMA message.