Cooperation with Indonesia Against Illegal Fishing

I am pleased to announce that Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda and I have agreed to take immediate steps to intensify cooperation between Australia and Indonesia to combat illegal fishing.

Australia will fund a $300,000 campaign to work with Indonesian authorities on raising awareness in Indonesia of the impacts and consequences of fishing illegally in Australian waters. Our two governments will also conduct a joint study on illegal fishing in South-East Asia, including the demand for shark fin.

Dr Wirajuda and I also agreed to upgrade cooperation in surveillance and information sharing. A joint fisheries surveillance forum is being established to explore ways of monitoring illegal fishing and to build surveillance capacity. We also agreed to put in place a system of communication by which Indonesian authorities will be notified of the apprehension of Indonesian vessels by Australian authorities.

I have asked my colleague the Minister for Fisheries, Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald, to travel to Indonesia to further our consultations on these initiatives. Senator Macdonald will visit Jakarta on 19 December.

Illegal fishing in Australia's northern waters has increased dramatically in the past five years. More than 240 foreign vessels - most of them Indonesian - have been apprehended this year for fishing illegally. Many of these vessels are commercial operators using modern and well-equipped vessels, often with satellite positioning systems, radar and ice-packed holds. Illegal fishing depletes fish stocks and poses serious environmental, quarantine and security risks to Australia.

Media inquiries : Ministerial 02 6277 7500, DFAT Media Liaison 02 6261 1555