Australian border authorities have intercepted four suspected illegal foreign fishing vessels near Kuri Bay in Western Australia’s remote far north Kimberley.
Dambimangari traditional owner Adrian Lane spotted the vessels while mapping fish in the area on Tuesday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Four suspected illegal foreign fishing vessels intercepted
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He told 7NEWS the wooden boats were amongst the mangroves, either stuck, trying to hide, or both.
Along with local tour operator, Peter Tucker, Lane notified the Australian Border Force.
They said not long after a navy vessel, ADV Cape Naturaliste, arrived in the area and the pair helped guide defence personnel to the site where the foreign vessels were hiding.
The foreign crews were taken on smaller boats back to the larger defence vessel.
Lane said the area was known to be a popular Trepang, or Sea Cucumber, fishing spot for foreign crews.
He also expressed concerns about overfishing and damage to delicate biodiversity.
The Australian Border Force and Department of Home Affairs have been contacted for comment.
Last month 7NEWS was given rare access to see how the remote northern WA coastline is patrolled for illegal foreign fishing and people smugglers.
Head of Operation Sovereign Borders, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, said at the time there had been a spike last October in reports of illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters.
But he explained a concerted Australian effort to address illegal fishing was proving effective.
In 2023, there were 912 sightings of illegal fishing vessels, while from January to May 2024, there have been 69 recorded.
Intercepted illegal fishers are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and can have their fish and equipment seized, face criminal charges, or potentially, the controlled burning of their boats.
