Australian Border Force seizes two foreign fishing vessels for illegal sea cucumber haul

​​The Australian Border Force (ABF) has intercepted two illegal foreign fishing vessels and apprehended 12 crewmembers in waters off the Northern Territory coast.

The interceptions were made after Bawinanga Homelands Aboriginal Corporation's Djelk Rangers reported a sighting of foreign fishing vessels near Maningrida.

ABF vessels subsequently located and intercepted the vessels near Maningrida and Port Essington, Northern Territory, on Sunday, February 22.

Upon boarding the vessels, ABF officers seized a total of 1,200 kilograms of trepang (sea cucumber) valued up to AU$120,000 (US$76,000) and fishing equipment.

In consultation with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), the two vessels were apprehended, with 12 Indonesian fishers detained to be brought into Darwin for investigation of suspected offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth).

The vessels were seized and destroyed at sea in accordance with Australian law.

Information about suspicious activity that may impact the security of Australia's borders can be provided to Border Watch online.