This is a joint media release from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Parks Australia.
In March and April 2026, three abandoned foreign fishing vessels (FFVs) along with associated fishing equipment were removed from three locations in the Torres Strait-Crab Island, Horn Island and Pearce Cay.
An AFMA contract vessel assisted in the safe recovery, towing, and disposal of the fishing equipment and abandoned FFVs. This latest operation has resulted in the removal of approximately 49 tonnes of harmful marine debris from Australian waters.
The first vessel and fishing equipment was beached at Crab Island, a vital nesting site for the flatback turtle. The vessel was dismantled, with the engine and other steel material removed with further beach cleanup occurring. [Image of clean beach site]
The second was a sunken vessel in the vicinity of Horn Island. The vessel was retrieved and towed to a sea-based disposal site where it was safely disposed of in accordance with Australian law.
A third vessel and its fishing equipment was wrecked on Pearce Cay with the 80-metre-long net removed first and then the vessel retrieved and towed to the disposal site. The net from this vessel was taken back to a land-based facility for disposal.
Each vessel was first assessed for salvage and destruction to ensure appropriate measures were taken, including specialised equipment, to protect the marine environment from pollution. All vessels were safely disposed of in accordance with Australian biosecurity requirements and the Environmental Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981.
The waters off northern Australia are home to many ecologically and commercially significant species including Spanish mackerel, tropical snappers, sharks, turtles, and prawn species and it is vitally important that we continue to ensure our marine life is protected.
AFMA's General Manager, Fisheries Operations, Justin Bathurst said "illegal foreign fishing continues to threaten Australia's marine environment and will not be tolerated."
"AFMA has successfully removed the abandoned illegal foreign fishing vessels and their fishing equipment, ensuring they no longer pose a hazard or cause further harm to our marine life."
Branch Head, Marine and Island Parks Shaun Barclay said, "The Australian Government has extended the highly successful Ghost Nets and Marine Debris Initiative to continue critical work removing deadly ghost nets and marine debris from northern Australia's coastlines and waters.
"We work with AFMA, Maritime Border Command (MBC) - a multi-agency taskforce, within the Australian Border Force - Indigenous rangers and the fishing industry to combat this scourge on our marine life and ensure a coordinated response."
Parks Australia manages a network of 60 Australian Marine Parks which cover 3.8 million square kilometres, or 43% of Australian waters, and help conserve marine habitats and the marine species that live within and rely on these habitats.
The Ghost Nets and Marine Debris Initiative extend conservation efforts in waters across northern Australia through with its collaboration with AFMA in its in-water retrieval program, as well as providing funding to Indigenous organisations to ensure the removal of marine debris and discarded fishing gear from coastal habitats and beaches.
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