This is a joint media release from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
Eleven Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in three separate cases at Darwin Local Court on Wednesday, 15 October and Monday, 20 October 2025.
The first matter arose from an incident on 19 September 2025, where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Junction Bay, Northern Territory.
ABF seized 800 kg of sea cucumber, 150 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.
Four fishers pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
The master of the vessel was fined $3,000 due to breaching a good behaviour undertaking arising from previous similar offending. On the current matter, he was sentenced to 8 weeks imprisonment and received a $5,000 recognisance order to be of good behaviour for a period of 5 years.
One crew member was sentenced to 4 weeks imprisonment due to breaching a good behaviour undertaking arising from previous similar offending. On the current matter, he was sentenced to 8 weeks imprisonment and received a $5,000 recognisance order to be of good behaviour for a period of 5 years.
The remaining two crew members each received $2,000 recognisance orders to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years.
The second matter arose from an incident on 28 September 2025, where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally, also near Junction Bay, Northern Territory.
ABF seized 350 kg of sea cucumber 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.
Three fishers pleaded guilty to offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).
The master of the vessel received a $3,000 recognisance order to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years.
One crew member was fined $3,000 due to breaching a good behaviour undertaking arising from previous similar offending. On the current matter, he was sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment and received a $5,000 recognisance order to be of good behaviour for a period of 5 years.
The remaining crew member was released on a $2,000 recognisance order to be of good behaviour for a period of 3 years.
The third matter arose from an incident on 15 September 2025, where Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory.
ABF seized 265 kg of sea cucumber, 6 kg of crab 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).
All fishers were taken into custody to serve 10-day periods of imprisonment following execution of outstanding warrants for previous similar offending. On the current matters, they were each fined $7,000.
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 69 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:
"These court outcomes demonstrate the risks of coming to Australia to fish illegally."
"Illegal foreign fishing will not be tolerated and those responsible stand to lose their catch, fishing gear, vessel and potentially face jail time."
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."
