URGENT UPDATE: The Australian Border Force (ABF) has just announced a critical partnership with Recfishwest to tackle illegal foreign fishing in the northern waters of Western Australia (WA). This initiative utilizes a newly updated fishing app that empowers local anglers to report suspicious activities directly to authorities.
Starting immediately, users of the Recfishwest app can access a reporting feature that links directly to the Department of Home Affairs’ Border Watch Online Report form. This innovative tool allows fishermen and fishers from Onslow to the Northern Territory border to swiftly alert authorities about any illegal fishing activity they observe.
ABF Commander Ranjeev Maharaj emphasized the urgency of this initiative, stating that illegal foreign fishing will not be tolerated in Australian waters. He highlighted the vastness and remoteness of WA’s northern region, stressing how integral community involvement is in combatting these activities.
“WA fishers are the first to understand how important it is to protect our marine environment,” Maharaj said. “Illegal fishing undermines the sustainability of marine stocks for future generations.” He noted that each report of suspicious activity is taken seriously, and the collaboration with local fishers enhances surveillance efforts across aerial, land, and sea operations.
Recfishwest CEO Andrew Rowland echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the commitment of West Australian fishers to protect their waters. “Partnering with the Australian Border Force gives WA fishers a simple and direct way to report illegal or suspicious activity,” Rowland stated. With the Recfishwest app already downloaded more than 300,000 times, he pointed out that the local fishing community is well-positioned to be a powerful ally in these efforts.
The app’s reporting feature is designed for ease of use, allowing fishers to submit information anonymously. Any suspicious border activity can be reported online through Border Watch at borderwatch.gov.au.
As illegal fishing poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity and local economies, this initiative is crucial for safeguarding WA’s marine resources. The community’s role in reporting provides a vital line of defense against those who jeopardize the region’s natural heritage.
Local fishers are encouraged to utilize this new functionality actively, as their unique understanding of the environment makes them invaluable in identifying and reporting illegal fishing activities. As the ABF and Recfishwest work together, the hope is to deter and detect illegal operations effectively, ensuring a sustainable future for the region’s fisheries.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, and don’t forget to report any suspicious activity you encounter while fishing. Your vigilance can make a difference.
