Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) has issued a statement expressing concern about the increase in reports of foreign vessels fishing illegally off Australia’s north coast.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) – working in conjunction with the Maritime Border Command, the Australian Border Force, and the Australian Defence Force – destroyed 15 foreign fishing vessels found to be fishing illegally, and seized fishing equipment and catches from an additional 86 vessels between between 1 July and 15 October, 2021. The task force is in the midst of “Operation JAWLINE,” which seeks to respond to increased incursions by foreign vessels into Australian waters.
In a statement, AFMA said Indonesian vessels fishing in Australian waters have been targeting beche-de-mer, or sea cucumber, around Cartier, Ashmore, and Scott Reef in waters off Northwestern Australia and further south at Rowley Shoals.
Read more:
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/sia-lauds-afma-work-against-iuu-fishing-urges-water-users-to-report-suspicious-activity