Seven Indonesian vessels impounded

Seven Indonesian vessels impounded

PERTH, Australia (AFP): Seven Indonesian fishing vessels apprehended off Western Australia's northwest coast on suspicion of fishing illegally in Australian waters, are being escorted to the pearling port of Broome, officials said yesterday.

Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) officer Mike O'Dea told AFP from Broome the sailing boats had been apprehended at the weekend near Rowse Island, almost 300 nautical miles north of Broome, by the Australian naval patrol boat, HMAS Wollongong.

The boats, with 43 men on board, were expected to reach Broome later Tuesday (today) or early Wednesday (tomorrow), he said.

"The boats and the men will be taken to the Willie Creek holding center, near Broome, where the fishermen will be questioned by interpreters," he said.

"If investigations reveal a probable breach of the agreement between Australia and Indonesia, the men will be prosecuted in the Magistrate's Court in Broome."

Any hearing would probably be within a week to 10 days, O'Dea said.

Convictions could result in heavy fines and the confiscation of boats and equipment.

The seven boats are believed to be from the islands of Roti and Sulawesi, he said.

O'Dea said the fishermen appeared to have been fishing for shark fin, which can be sold for between 60 Australian dollars (44.50 US) and 200 dollars (148.40 US) on the international market.

Shark fin is a highly prized commodity in Chinese cooking. O'Dea said apart from the seven boats apprehended, there were another 50 to 60 Indonesian fishing vessels in international waters nearby.

"The skippers need to understand that there is an agreement between Australia and Indonesia on fishing rights, and we expect the Indonesians to respect the law," he said.

"If they stray into a prohibited area, they will be prosecuted and there is a big risk they will lose vessels and equipment as well."