Two foreign vessels seized for illegal fishing off Australia's northern coast

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has intercepted another two fishing vessels in July 2025 and apprehended 11 foreign fishers as part of an ongoing operation to combat illegal foreign fishing off Australia's northern coastline.

On July 19, ABF's Maritime Border Command intercepted and boarded a foreign fishing vessel with six crewmembers on board suspected of illegally fishing near Ashmore Island in the Indian Ocean. The ABF personnel seized 40 kg of salt used to preserve any catch.

Four days later, a second foreign fishing vessel was intercepted and boarded, with five crewmembers on board who were also suspected of illegally fishing near Adele Island. ABF officers seized 120 kg of salt used to preserve the catch, along with 66 shark fins.

All 11 crewmembers from the two vessels were detained and transported to Darwin for further investigation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority for suspected offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991.

Both vessels were seized and safely disposed of in accordance with Australian law.