This is a joint media release from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and the Australian Border Force (ABF).
Thirteen Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty at Darwin Local Court on 13 October 2026 to charges of illegally fishing within Australia’s northern waters.
These matters followed the successful apprehension of two foreign fishing vessels (FFV) by Australian authorities through Maritime Border Command (MBC).
The first FFV was intercepted inside the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Box near Scott Reef, Western Australia on 22 September 2026. The MOU Box permits fishing by traditional style Indonesian vessels adhering to specific conditions. This includes the vessels being propelled through non-motorised means. On this occasion, the 9 crew were identified using a motorised vessel to harvest shark fin, reef fish, sea cucumber and 300kg of salt used to preserve catch.
Two days later, MBC detected a 10-metre FFV operating approximately 60 nautical miles inside Australian waters (near Cartier Island). The FFV was intercepted by an MBC patrol vessel the following day on 24 September 2026, with officers locating 4 crew and 4 recently caught sharks.
Both FFVs, their catch and fishing gear was seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law, while the crew were transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA.
All thirteen crew members were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) and subsequently pleaded guilty.
Of the crew intercepted near Scott Reef, the master was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment, suspended immediately upon entering a $3,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for three years. The remaining crew were each released upon entering into $3,000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for 3 years.
Regarding the crew intercepted near Cartier Island, the master was fined a total amount of $2,000. One crew member was fined $1,000 as a first-time offender. The remaining crew members were identified as having previous findings of guilt for fishing illegally in Australian waters, including one being in breach of a good behaviour undertaking. One was fined $1,500, with the other being fined $3,000 and entering a $1,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for six months. There have been 33 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since 1 July 2026.
AFMA and ABF remain vigilant to the threat of illegal fishing in Australian waters. Illegal foreign fishers can be subject to prosecution leading to fines or potential imprisonment. They also risk forfeiture of catch, equipment and seizure of their fishing vessels.
Quotes attributable to AFMA’s General Manager, Fisheries Operations, Mr Justin Bathurst
“Individuals who engage in illegal fishing activity in Australian waters can expect to be apprehended and brought before an Australian court. Not only is illegal fishing a criminal offence, but it also poses an unacceptable risk to the long-term sustainability of Australia’s precious marine resources”.
Quotes attributable to Acting Deputy Commander Maritime Border Command, Nicole Papathanasiou:
“Much of Australia’s north is remote and far from public view, but it is not beyond our reach. Through a layered and enduring presence on the land, at sea and in the air, Maritime Border Command maintains oversight across Australia’s northern approaches and is ready to act when suspicious activity is detected.
“Those who cross the line into Australian waters to fish illegally are taking a very real risk. You can lose your catch, your gear and your boat. The message is simple: stay out of Australian waters. If you fish here illegally, we will act.”
