This is a joint media release from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
Nineteen Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in five separate cases at Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, 30 September 2025.
The first four matters arose from incidents where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended Indonesian vessels fishing illegally in Northern Territory between 7 and 11 September 2025.
ABF seized 1,200 kg of sea cucumber, more than 2,000 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch and a large quantity of fishing equipment. The crews were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by AFMA. The vessels were seized and destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian law.
All fishers pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
The master of one vessel was subject to a good behaviour bond imposed for previous similar offending. The current matters breached that undertaking and he was re-sentenced to one month imprisonment. On the current matters, he received two additional one-month terms of imprisonment, to be served concurrently, and a $5,000 recognisance order to be of good behaviour for a period of two years.
The master of another vessel received a $6,000 recognisance order to be of good behaviour for a period of three years.
The masters of the remaining two vessels each received $5,000 recognisance orders to be of good behaviour for a period of two years.
Of the remaining fourteen fishers: five received $4,000 recognisance orders to be of good behaviour for a period of two years; three received $3,000 recognisance orders to be of good behaviour for a period of three years; and six received $2,000 recognisance orders to be of good behaviour for a period of two years.
The fifth matter arose from an incident where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, on 8 August 2025. Charges against two crew members were dealt with on 3 September 2025.
The master of the vessel pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) and received a $5,000 recognisance order to be of good behaviour for a period of three years. He is currently serving a three-month period of imprisonment relating to unpaid fines for previous similar offending.
All fishers will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia after having served relevant periods of imprisonment.
There have been 58 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:
"Fishers coming to Australia to fish illegally continue to take significant risks. They will lose their catch, fishing gear, vessel and potentially face serious penalties including jail time."
"AFMA and our partners at Maritime Border Command remain resolute in our commitment to detect, apprehend and prosecute those who fish illegally in Australian waters."
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."
