Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have completed a joint coastal patrol across the Dampier Peninsula as part of a shared mission to protect the area's world-renowned marine environment.
In late August ABF vessel MV Manticore joined with WA Fisheries vessel PV Walcott, to deliver a visible enforcement presence on the coastline and estuaries from Pender Bay to Cliff Point, a region 160km north of Broome, WA.
The joint patrol stopped a number of recreational fishing vessels, providing the opportunity for ABF officers to brief fishers on the importance of reporting suspicious border-related behaviour such as illegal foreign fishing.
DPIRD was able to assist Australia Border Force by providing its tender vessel to access shallow water areas to undertake a joint patrol in the Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park and the creek systems of the Dampier Peninsula.
A number of inspections of recreational fishers were undertaken by DPRID officers with no fisheries offences being detected.
In addition, no evidence of illegal foreign fishing activity was identified during the patrol, with local recreational fishers also reporting no recent sightings
ABF Acting Officer in Charge of MV Manticore, Tristan Ryder said the patrol demonstrated that the absence of recent illegal foreign fishing detections did not mean authorities had taken their eyes off WA's remote coastline.
"Illegal fishing activity can fluctuate, but our resolve does not," Senior ABF officer Ryder said.
"While we are pleased the patrol found no evidence of any recent illegal foreign fishing activity and local fishers reported zero sightings, the deployment gave us a valuable border presence and helped us collect vital operational insights into the region.
"Local fishers play an important role as eyes and ears along WA's remote coastline as they understand what looks out of place, so we encourage people to report any unusual activity to Border Watch."
Joint patrols are one part of a layered approach to border protection that includes aerial surveillance, land patrols, partner agencies and community reporting.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia's borders is urged to report to Border Watch online. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border and the community.
