The Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor says Border Protection Command today apprehended a foreign vessel suspected of illegally fishing in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone. “It’s alleged that the boat was stopped about 48 nautical miles north west of Maningrida in the Northern Territory and officers found about 20 kilograms of shark fin on board,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Shark fin is a regarded as a delicacy in some parts of Asia but it is illegal for foreign vessels to take marine life from this part of Australian waters.” The boat’s five crew members will be transported to Darwin for interview by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. “Australia enforces strict penalties upon those who violate our foreign fishing laws. Offenders face fines of up to $750 000 and Australian authorities can destroy boats involved in illegal foreign fishing,” Mr O’Connor said.
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