Australian and Indonesian authorities have completed a week-long joint patrol covering 24,000 square nautical miles — roughly 82,000 square kilometres — in waters north of Australia aimed at cracking down on illegal maritime activity.
Operation JAWLINE ARAFURA ran from 20 to 25 September along the countries’ shared maritime border, involving the Australian Border Force (ABF), the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Indonesia’s Directorate General of Surveillance of Marine and Fisheries Resources (PSDKP). Six vessels were boarded during the patrol. Officials did not detail the outcomes of those boardings.
Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, Commander of the ABF’s Maritime Border Command, said the collaboration underlined the depth of the bilateral partnership. “Operation JAWLINE ARAFURA demonstrates our ability to work together to bolster our border security capabilities, ensuring a coordinated focus on combating any illegal activity where we share a maritime border with Indonesia,” RADM Sonter said.
“Illegal foreign fishing represents a serious threat to both our border security and our marine environment. We will not tolerate any illegal activity in our waters, and we will continue to work tirelessly to combat this threat with our regional partners.”
AFMA’s General Manager of Fisheries Operations, Justin Bathurst, said the latest iteration had strengthened joint efforts. “We always appreciate the opportunity to work together with our Indonesian counterparts and coordinate our operations to counter illegal fishing activity from both sides of the maritime border,” Mr Bathurst said.
“The PSDKP is a valued partner in our efforts to protect Australia’s fisheries and marine environment – not only in these joint patrols but also through information sharing and supporting our efforts to discourage illegal fishing by delivering public information campaigns to Indonesian fishing communities.”
PSDKP Director General Pung Nugroho Saksono (Ipunk) said the agencies would continue to target illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing across the region. “PSDKP is committed to continuing its collaboration with ABF and AFMA to promote responsible fishing practices and prevent illegal activities in both Indonesian and Australian waters,” said Ipunk.
The patrol drew on a mix of sea and air assets. The ABF deployed Cape Class patrol vessel ABFC Cape St George and a Dash 8 surveillance aircraft; Indonesia sent patrol vessel KP ORCA 06 and an ATR42 surveillance aircraft. AFMA compliance officers were embarked across both Australian and Indonesian platforms.
Authorities said this year’s operation is part of an annual series of joint patrols. In a similar mission last year in the Arafura Sea, 36 illegal fishers were apprehended.
Officials urged the public to report suspected illegal fishing. Reports can be made via Border Watch, or to AFMA’s CRIMFISH hotline on 1800 274 634 or by email at [email protected].
