Six Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in three separate cases at Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, 28 October 2025.
The first matter arose from an incident on 27 September 2025, where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Cassini Island, Western Australia.
ABF seized 500 kg of sea cucumber, 90 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch and a quantity of fishing equipment. The crew were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessel was seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law.
The master of the vessel pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) and was fined $10,000.
The second matter arose from an incident on 1 October 2025, where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Cape Bougainville, Western Australia.
ABF seized 690 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch and a quantity of fishing equipment. The crew were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessel was seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law.
The master of the vessel pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) and was fined $7,000.
The third matter arose from an incident on 7 October 2025, where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Laseron Island, Western Australia.
ABF seized 15 kg of sea cucumber and various fishing equipment. The crew were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessel was seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law.
Four fishers pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
The master of the vessel was identified as a recidivist, having been previously convicted of similar offending. On the current matter, he was sentenced to a 15-week period of imprisonment, backdated to the date of apprehension.
The remaining three crew members were each fined $3,000.
All fines are payable within 28 days with potential terms of imprisonment in the event of default.
All fishers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia after having served their applicable periods of imprisonment.
There have been 75 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since 1 July 2025.
AFMA, in partnership with ABF, undertakes targeted operations to intercept illegal fishing operations to protect the sustainability of Australia's fisheries resources and border security.
Australian authorities work with the Indonesian Government to address illegal fishing at its source, through the delivery of public information campaigns within Indonesian fishing communities, the distribution of educational material, targeted social media campaigns, and proactive engagement with fishers.
Quotes attributable to AFMA's General Manager, Fisheries Operations, Mr Justin Bathurst:
"AFMA and Maritime Border Command remain resolute in our commitment to detect, apprehend and prosecute those who fish illegally in Australian waters."
"Offenders stand to lose their catch, fishing gear and vessel as well as facing serious penalties, as these court outcomes demonstrate."
Quotes attributable to Deputy Commander Maritime Border Command, Linda Cappello:
"Our patrols and intelligence systems are active every day across Australia's north. The message to illegal foreign fishers is clear: do not risk your livelihood by coming to Australia to fish illegally."
