A shocking revelation has come to light, exposing a secret program that has been quietly unfolding in Australia's waters. It's a story that raises eyebrows and sparks controversy.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) has been quietly purchasing fishing boats and supplying them to illegal foreign crews and asylum seekers. But here's where it gets controversial: these boats are being used as a means of safe return to their home countries.
Multiple sources have confirmed this practice, stating that the boats are also utilized for training and surveillance purposes by various agencies. Since 2020, over 1,000 illegal foreign fishing boats have been intercepted in Western Australia's north, with nearly 300 of them discovered last financial year.
The Boat Procurement Process
The ABF, responsible for patrolling Australia's northern waters, has been acquiring these fishing boats from across the country for the past two years. The Ocean Shield, an ABF vessel, arrived in Broome this week with four boats visible on its deck, their identifying features, such as names and numbers, removed.
One of these boats, known as the Rosna, was previously a West Australian fishing boat listed for sale. The Ocean Shield departed Kwinana on October 29th, its destination listed as "to sea."
This operation has been ongoing, with industry sources claiming it was previously well-established in Darwin. Grant Barker, who operates five wetline fishing boats in remote areas of Broome and Darwin, has been aware of this government strategy for some time.
The Boat Refurbishment Process
Barker has observed fishing vessels being refurbished at the Darwin Port, with lights, navigational equipment, life rafts, and seating welded onto their decks, making them "safe" for their intended purpose.
"This practice doesn't sit right with me, and it shouldn't with Australian taxpayers either," Barker said. "We're essentially providing illegal fishermen and people smugglers with better vessels than they could ever hope for, to return lawbreakers to Indonesia and potentially continue their illegal activities in a safe boat. It's disingenuous, insulting, and poor policy. It makes absolutely no sense."
The boats purchased under this program typically range in value from $150,000 to $250,000 and are standard commercial fishing vessels, seaworthy with clear deck areas. Images of these boats show modifications for shade and seating.
In Western Australia, these boats were formerly used for crayfishing and line fishing, but it's understood that boats have also been purchased in other states.
A Boat's Journey to Indonesia
Last year, a vessel believed to be the former Geraldton cray boat Caprice appeared in photographs on Rote Island in Indonesia. At the time, Indonesian authorities informed the ABC that a group of 44 men, mainly from Bangladesh, were attempting to reach Australia in June when they were intercepted by Border Force.
The men claimed that ABF officers provided them with two boats equipped with supplies, trained them to operate them, and sent them back to Indonesia.
Divided Opinions and Frustrations
While some in the fishing industry, like Mr. Barker, believe that providing illegal fishers with seaworthy boats empowers them to take more fish from Australian waters, others argue that these former Australian fishing boats would be too costly for illegal operators.
Many question the cost-effectiveness of this solution to illegal incursions. Mr. Barker expressed frustration at the lack of cohesive collaboration between agencies like Border Force, AFMA, and the navy, as well as their reluctance to work with commercial fishing operators in the north.
He highlighted a system established under John Howard's leadership in the early 2000s, where Border Force or the navy would intercept vessels, remove those on board, and call on nearby fishers to tow the illegal boats back to Broome or Darwin.
"The boats would be removed from the grounds and destroyed, allowing Border Force and the navy to focus on finding and apprehending more boats," Barker said. "This is the way to handle it. Every single boat apprehended, whether for illegal fishing or people smuggling, should be destroyed."
The ABF has not responded to the ABC's questions regarding this matter.
