The CLP Government is urging a stronger federal response to the rise in illegal foreign fishing activity.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Gerard Maley called for greater action and resources from Australian Border Force, and federal agencies, to address this escalating issue.
“Our government is deeply concerned about the current response to illegal foreign fishing boats in Northern Territory waters,” said Mr Maley.
“Biosecurity is a critical priority of our government, and the arrival of unlawful foreign nationals poses a significant risk to our economy, environment, and communities.”
On Tuesday night, community members in Gunbalanya, in western Arnhem Land, alerted police to a group of suspected unlawful foreign nationals walking on the road towards the community.
Nine were located by police, all possessing Chinese passports.
This follows an incident on Sunday, where Maningrida Marine Rangers detected two Indonesian fishing boats and authorities seized 190kg of illegally harvested sea cucumber.
Mr Maley has raised his concerns directly with the Commissioner of Australian Border Force, and discussed the issue with Federal Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King, during meetings in Canberra last week.
“I have written to NT Federal Members Luke Gosling, Marion Scrymgour, and Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, urging them to lobby their federal colleagues for a more robust response,” he said.
“I have also asked Border Force to deploy additional resources to monitor NT waters, expand surveillance technology and intelligence sharing, improve communication with NT authorities, and focus on prosecuting and deterring illegal activities.”
Additionally, the NT Commissioner of Police, Michael Murphy APM, has been in correspondence with the Border Force Commissioner and the head of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to request more resources, with a meeting scheduled between the Police Commissioner and the AFMA CEO today.
“This is not a challenge the NT can tackle alone. The Commonwealth must step up to meet its obligations and provide the resources and support necessary to safeguard our waters, environment, and primary industries,” said Mr Maley.
Mr Maley praised the swift actions of rangers and community members in reporting the recent incursions, highlighting their vital role in protecting the Territory.
Illegal foreign fishing poses a significant threat to the NT’s $1.3 billion agriculture and fisheries sector.
The risks are not only economic and environmental but also biosecurity-related, with concerns about diseases such as Lumpy Skin Disease, Foot and Mouth Disease, and the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza.
Australia is currently the only continent free from this strain of bird flu.
While the joint efforts of Border Force, the AFMA, and NT Fisheries are acknowledged, Mr Maley said the current response remains insufficient and places significant response pressures on NT Police and Aboriginal Marine Rangers.
This not only diverts critical local resources but also undermines the Commonwealth’s jurisdictional obligations under the Fisheries Management Act 1991.
