We are intercepting illegal fishing boats, Leichhardt MP says
Northern border
A pair of foreign fishing boats were intercepted before they could catch anything last weekend as part of a new border force operation to crack down on illegal boats in Australian waters, Federal Government Leichhardt MP Matt Smith says.
“The Australian Border Force has seen early results under Operation Broadstaff, intercepting two foreign fishing vessels in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait over the weekend before illegal fishing activity could occur,” Mr Smith said this week.
Maritime Border Command Acting Deputy Commander Brooke Dewar said the ABF was working closely with the Thursday Island community to help track down illegal fishing boats.
“Local knowledge remains essential in the Torres Strait, with community members providing vital eyes and ears across their Sea Country as ABF officers continue engaging with local fishers and residents,” he said.
“The weekend’s activities are a prime example of the effective working relationship the ABF has with remote communities."
Earlier this month, Cook MP David Kempton said illegal foreign fishing boats entering Australian waters in Torres Strait was looking more like an invasion than an incursion.
Mr Kempton said community leaders, locals, fishermen and Traditional Owners had spoken out to say the illegal boats were not only widespread, but had been visiting our waters for years.
“From here in Torres Strait, what has been described as an incursion of illegal foreign fishing vessels into Australian waters is starting to sound more like an invasion,’’ he said.
He said it appeared the Federal Government had been underestimating the seriousness of the threat.
“There is no doubt that frontline border force officers, in collaboration with the ADF Federal Police, biosecurity, and rangers, are doing the best they can with the resources available; however, the fact is that our northern international border leaks like a sieve,” he said.
Mr Kempton said Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke needed to visit the region as a matter of urgency to see the scale of the problem and take immediate action to ensure the health and wellbeing of all Australians are not at risk.
Following that call, Mr Burke and Mr Smith announced the establishment of Operation Broadstaff in a renewed effort to crack down on illegal fishing.
On Wednesday, February 11, Mr Smith spoke about the move.
"Yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced Operation Broadstaff, which is an uptick to stop illegal foreign fishing in the Torres Strait,” he said.
“On Monday of last week, I met with Minister Burke, Minister (Julian) Hill and the commissioner of Border Force and requested a surge to respond to this uptick in fishermen.
“As a direct result, Operation Broadstaff has begun.”
Mr Smith said there would be more patrols on the ground, in the sea and in the air to “ensure that we have proper surveillance”.
He was visiting the region this month in an effort to “get a better understanding of how the Torres Strait wants to interact with Border Force and help keep our nation safe”.
“These are Australian waters, they belong to Australians," he said.
