Indonesian illegal fishing boats destroyed

Updated 11 hours 36 minutes ago

PHOTO: The Australian Fisheries Management Authority had previously destroyed Indonesian boats involved in blast fishing in northern Australian waters after they were seized in October last year.(Australian Fisheries Management Authority)

MAP: Darwin 0800

Three illegal Indonesian fishing boats intercepted by the Royal Australian Navy and Customs off the Northern Territory coast this month have been destroyed in Darwin.

They were the second, third and fourth vessels to be destroyed since July.

John Marrington from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority says the boats were burnt.

“The vessels are being destroyed as a result of the risk they pose to the environment,” he said.

“They are not very seaworthy.”

Charges are expected to be laid next week against some of the 20 people detained when the boats were seized in waters north of Darwin.

The Australian Fisheries Management Authority had previously destroyed several Indonesian boats involved in blast fishing in northern Australian waters after they were seized in October last year.