HMAS Geraldton has arrested the latest of 115 vessels caught fishing illegally this year, according to the Australian fisheries minister senator Ian Macdonald.
He said it was the largest vessel caught so far inside Australian waters this year. The 40-metre trawler, flagged in Indonesia but operating out of Bangkok (all 22 crew are Thai nationals) had 25 tonnes of fin fish on board and was arrested near Evans Shoal, north of Darwin. Macdonald said "It really is a credit to Australian authorities to have made such a significant arrest just eight nautical miles inside the Australian Fishing Zone.
This is a major arrest, and sends a message across the globe that Australia is tough on fish poachers.
"This is the first boat we have apprehended this year that has not been based in Indonesia. My message to foreign fishermen is simple - stay out of Australian waters if you want to keep your vessel and your livelihood. The presence of a foreign commercial trawler of this size in our waters highlights the importance of protecting Australia's well-managed fisheries resources from exploitation by illegal foreign fishing vessels." The boat was to be escorted to Darwin where officers from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority would make further investigations. The crew are expected to face charges under Australia's Fisheries Management Act, a statement said. A few days before this arrest three illegal "ice vessels" were arrest. One of them was carrying three tonnes of reef fish.
