Seven Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
The matters arose from an incident where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally on 6 June 2025 off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory (Indigenous rangers, ABF detect and apprehend foreign fishers in the NT)
Authorities seized 750 kg of sea cucumber and a range of fishing equipment.
The crew were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. ABF seized the vessel, and it was destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian law.
All fishers were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
The master of the vessel was fined $10,000 and the remaining six crew members were each fined $4,000. One crew member pleaded guilty to a separate illegal fishing offence committed in March 2025 and was fined an additional $6,000.
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 at the earliest opportunity.
There have been 244 Indonesian fishers prosecuted in Darwin Local Court since 1 July 2024.
Persistent illegal foreign fishing undermines Australia efforts to sustainable manage our marine resources. AFMA, in partnership with ABF, continues to undertake targeted operations to intercept illegal foreign fishing operators.
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.
