A judge in the Northern Territory has imposed tougher penalties on illegal fishers operating in Australian waters, issuing a total of $82,000 in fines to 18 Indonesian nationals.
Presiding over the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, Judge Alan Woodcock said the sentences were intended to “send a message” as he imposed individual fines ranging from $4,000 to $10,000.
These penalties mark a significant increase compared to last month’s sentencing of 20 illegal fishers, most of whom were fined between $1,000 and $2,000 for similar offenses.
The 18 men sentenced on Tuesday had been caught earlier this year on two vessels fishing for sea cucumbers approximately 112 nautical miles inside the Australian Fishing Zone.
Most of the men, seen leaving court in matching navy blue pants and white sneakers, were reported to come from low-income regions in Indonesia. (ABC News: Joe Hathaway-Wilson)
Their lawyer highlighted the economic hardships they face, stating, “Many are married men who financially support their families.”
Authorities are currently probing whether organized crime may be behind the surge in illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters.
“These individuals earn very little and take significant risks aboard unsafe boats,” the lawyer added.
The court heard that all but one of the men had no prior offenses.
While Judge Woodcock acknowledged their difficult circumstances, he emphasized the seriousness of their actions and the growing issue of unlawful fishing.
“We must send a clear message that this behavior is unacceptable and will be met with consequences,” he said.
The captain of one vessel, who had a previous illegal fishing conviction from 2007, received the highest fine of $10,000. The second captain was fined $8,000, and the rest of the crew were each fined $4,000.
Since July 2024, over 200 Indonesian fishers have faced prosecution in Darwin Local Court, according to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
