All seven vessels were safely destroyed in accordance with Australian law

Australian Border Force Destroys Seven Foreign Vessels in Two Weeks, Seizes Tons of Illegal Catch

AUSTRALIA
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The crackdown on illegal fishing in waters off Northern Australia resulted in the seizure of nearly 5,000 kg of catch, including sea cucumber and shark fins, as authorities reaffirm commitment to maritime border security and marine sustainability.

DARWIN - The Australian Border Force (ABF) has intensified its efforts against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, seizing and destroying seven foreign fishing vessels and detaining their crews in a coordinated series of operations spanning September and early October 2025.

The seizures were carried out as part of the ABF's ongoing mission to ensure the security and sustainability of Australia's vast maritime borders. All seven vessels were of Indonesian origin.

Seizures Across Northern Territory and Western Australia

In total, authorities seized a combined 1,930 kg of sea cucumber, 2,844 kg of other catch, and assorted fishing equipment. This included a significant haul of 140 shark fins.

Photo: ABF

The seizures took place across various key maritime locations within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):

• September 15, 2025: An Indonesian vessel was intercepted off Port Essington, Northern Territory (NT). Authorities seized 265 kg of sea cucumber.

• September 19, 2025: An Indonesian vessel was intercepted in Junction Bay, NT, leading to the seizure of 800 kg of sea cucumber.

• September 27, 2025: Authorities intercepted a vessel near Cassini Island in the Kimberley Marine Park, Western Australia (WA), seizing 500 kg of sea cucumber.

• September 28, 2025: A vessel was intercepted off West Arnhem, NT, with a haul of 350 kg of sea cucumber.

• September 30 and October 1, 2025: Two Indonesian vessels were intercepted near the Sahul Banks in Australia's EEZ. From these vessels, authorities seized a combined 2,838 kg of fish species and 140 shark fins.

• October 7, 2025: The final vessel was intercepted off Augustus Island in the Kimberley Marine Park, WA, with 15 kg of sea cucumber.

Photo: ABF

Legal Action and Maritime Security

All seven vessels were safely destroyed in accordance with Australian law. The detained crews were transported to Darwin for investigation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) for suspected offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991.

The ABF emphasized that it adjusts its maritime posture based on an intelligence-led, risk-based approach to protect Australia's EEZ—one of the largest in the world.

Photo: ABF

The ABF urged the public to contact www.borderwatch.gov.au to report any suspicious activities, underscoring that public assistance helps protect Australia's borders and its community.

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