The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), in partnership with Maritime Border Command (MBC), has apprehended an illegal foreign fishing vessel in Australian waters.
The apprehension took place on Tuesday, February 21, when the Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel Alwi Jaya was intercepted and detained by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) patrol boat HMAS Armidale on orders from the MBC.
RAN personnel seized Alwi Jaya's eight crewmembers along with 250 kilograms of trepang (sea cucumber), 15 shark fins, fish, and fishing equipment. The vessel, catch, and fishing equipment were brought into Darwin along with the crew on Thursday, February 23.
Upon arrival in Darwin, the arrested crewmembers were detained by the Australian Border Force (ABF).
AFMA is investigating the matter further for suspected offences under the Fisheries Management Act 1991.