Four Indonesian nationals have pleaded guilty to illegal fishing in Australian waters in two separate cases finalised at Darwin Local Court on Monday, 22 September 2025.
The first case concerned an interception on 28 August near Jabiru Shoals off the Western Australian coast. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers seized 140 kg of fish along with fishing gear, detained the crew and towed the vessel for destruction at sea under Australian law. The vessel’s master admitted offences under the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) and was placed on a $1,000 recognisance to be of good behaviour for three years.
The second case stemmed from a separate 28 August interception near the Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory. ABF officers seized 100 kg of sea cucumber, 500 kg of salt used for processing, and fishing equipment. The crew were taken to Darwin for investigation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), and the vessel was seized and destroyed in accordance with Australian law.
That matter returned to court after an adjournment on 16 September, when four matters were initially dealt with. A further three were heard on 22 September for offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth). The master, who had been on a good behaviour bond for similar offending, was re‑sentenced to one month’s imprisonment for breaching that undertaking and a further six weeks for the current charges. Both terms will be served concurrently, with time in custody backdated to 27 August 2025.
Another crew member, already imprisoned after a warrant was executed for non‑payment of a previous fine, received six weeks’ imprisonment to be served concurrently, also backdated to 27 August 2025. A third crew member was sentenced to six weeks, backdated to 27 August 2025, with 27 days to serve and the balance suspended, and was also placed on a $1,000 recognisance to be of good behaviour for three years.
All four will be removed from Australia by ABF and returned to Indonesia after serving their custodial terms. According to AFMA, 39 Indonesian fishers have been prosecuted in the Darwin Local Court since 1 July 2025.
AFMA said it continues to work with ABF’s Maritime Border Command on targeted patrols to deter and disrupt illegal fishing and to protect the sustainability of Australia’s fisheries. Authorities also engage the Indonesian Government on prevention efforts, including community outreach, education materials and social media campaigns aimed at fishing communities.
“Fishers coming to Australia to fish illegally continue to take significant risks. They risk losing their catch, fishing gear, vessel and face serious penalties including jail time.”
“AFMA and our partners at Maritime Border Command remain resolute in our commitment to detect, apprehend and prosecute those who fish illegally in Australian waters.”
“The ABF and our partners are actively patrolling our maritime border, and we will catch those who attempt illegal activities within Australian waters. Australia does not tolerate illegal foreign fishing, and offenders will face serious consequences, including jail time.”
Suspected illegal fishing can be reported to CRIMFISH on 1800 274 634 or via [email protected].
