Ten Indonesian Fishermen Sentenced for Illegal Fishing in Australian Waters
endonesiecorp
May 3, 2025 2:48 pm
.
2 min read
Jakarta, Xweb.biz.id – Ten Indonesian fishermen have been sentenced in the Darwin District Court after pleading guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters, in two separate incidents that took place earlier in April.
According to a statement from the Australian Border Force (ABF), the first case occurred on April 3 near Parry Port, Western Australia. Authorities intercepted an Indonesian fishing vessel and discovered 420 kilograms of sea cucumbers, 300 kilograms of salt used for preservation, and a range of fishing equipment including 50-meter ropes and hooks.
The vessel was seized on the spot and later ordered to be destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian maritime law.
The ship’s captain received a 27-day prison sentence, calculated from the day of his arrest. The four crew members were released under a two-year probation period, with a conditional fine of AUD 1,000 (approximately IDR 10.6 million) should they breach the law again.
A second case followed just a week later on April 10, when another Indonesian fishing boat was caught operating illegally near Port Essington in the Northern Territory. Australian authorities confiscated 300 kilograms of sea cucumbers, 90 kilograms of salt, and fishing gear from the vessel, which was also seized and ordered for destruction.
The captain in this second incident was sentenced to 21 days in jail, also backdated to the date of arrest. The four crew members faced varying outcomes: two were released on good behavior bonds with a bail of AUD 1,000 each, while the other two were granted release under a lower bond of AUD 500 (around IDR 5.3 million), all under a two-year good behavior condition.
All individuals involved will be deported to Indonesia following the completion of their sentences.
These cases highlight the ongoing challenge of illegal fishing in Australian waters. Since July 2024, a total of 176 Indonesian fishermen have been prosecuted in the Darwin District Court for similar offenses, reinforcing Australia’s firm stance on protecting its marine resources.
The ABF reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Australia’s maritime borders and ensuring compliance with the Fisheries Management Act 1991.
