CANBERRA, ACT, Oct. 23 -- Australian Border Force issued the following news release:
Maritime Border Command has apprehended a foreign fishing vessel and its crew suspected of illegal fishing near Warrior Reef in the Torres Strait.
On 19 October 2026, HMAS Cape Naturaliste located the fibreglass banana boat crewed by PNG nationals which was found with two shark fins and fishing equipment on board.
After consultation with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), the vessel and equipment were seized and the crew detained.
The crew were handed over to PNG authorities and their vessel will besafely destroyed in accordance with Australian law and relevant environmental and biosecurity requirements.
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