Fishing taskforce formed
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A new project has been launched to combat illegal fishing in the Northern Territory.
The Albanese Government has launched Operation LUNAR in Darwin.
It includes a taskforce that will deploy enhanced surveillance capabilities across air, sea, and coastline areas to detect and intercept illegal fishing activities.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says the operation will block pathways exploited by illegal fishers who shifted east following the success of Operation Leedstrum in the Kimberley. “Border protection is one of the highest priorities of the Albanese Government,” Burke stated.
“These new resources add an additional layer to that surveillance, enhancing the capabilities of Border Force personnel and Indigenous rangers.”
Operation LUNAR has already resulted in the interception of vessels, the seizure of more than seven tonnes of sea cucumber, and the destruction of illegal boats.
To bolster rapid response capabilities, the government has introduced a new helicopter for Border Force operations.
The government says it is also re-establishing partnerships with local land councils and Indigenous ranger groups to monitor the Northern Territory’s 10,000 km of coastline and its network of 887 islands. A similar partnership was in place until 2017 but lapsed under the previous government.
“Indigenous rangers play a vital role in caring for land and sea Country,” said Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.
“Our different ranger groups in the Northern Territory are ideally placed across vast areas, to help be the eyes and ears of northern Australia.”
Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, highlighted the importance of protecting local waters. “By disrupting illegal fishing activities, we're helping maintain the health of our waters, ensuring recreational fishers in the NT can continue enjoying our marine environments for years to come,” Gosling said.
