Local water police have been praised by the Australian Border Force, following the apprehension of multiple alleged illegal fishing boats off the NT coast.
It’s alleged three boats were intercepted with the help of Sea Rangers between December 5 and December 10, in waters off Groote Eylandt and the Cobourg Peninsula.
It’s alleged one of the vessels was hidden in mangroves.
Authorities say they seized more than 400kg of Sea Cucumber, and 2,200kg of other catch.
Fishing equipment was also found on board the vessels.
All three vessels have now been destroyed, with the crews transported to Darwin for further investigation.
ABF Operation LUNAR Commander Alex Kelsall has thanked the rangers and police for their quick actions.
“Illegal foreign fishers should not assume remote locations will protect them from detection,” Commander Kelsall says.
“Our partnerships with Indigenous ranger groups, local communities and police strengthen our operations and extend our reach across what is a vast and often very remote Northern Territory coastline with over 800 islands.”
