Aboriginal rangers watch out for foreign fishing vessels in Top End waters

When Australian Government agencies ran a joint operation in April to detect illegal foreign fishing vessels in Top End waters, local Aboriginal people were enlisted to help. 

Eighteen sites between Nhulunbuy and Croker Island, thought to be frequented by foreign fishing vessels, were targeted by rangers and the agencies — the Australian Defence Force, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Customs, Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

AQIS’s Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy entomologist Glenn Bellis and Thursday Island Quarantine officer Rod Bannister visited some sites with the Aboriginal guides.

“Aboriginal people were originally included so we could avoid visiting culturally sensitive areas, but their presence was very useful in assessing the likelihood of a site being used by foreign fishing vessels: there was little direct evidence of landings,” Glenn says.

“Local knowledge was essential in assessing exactly who was visiting a site. Showing local people — particularly sea rangers — sites that are of concern to AQIS allows them to include these sites in future surveillance activities.”

“There’s a very real risk of exotic pests such as mosquitoes, termites or animal diseases getting a foothold if these boats are landing or anchoring close to land.”

Milkayngo from Dhimurru rangers inspected a site near Toad Point where a creek mouth was strewn with debris. At a second site near Marchinbar Island a raft, drums, planks and nylon rope lay at the high tide mark. One set of human footprints led south from the raft and two other sets led north, accompanied by a set of dog prints. None returned to the raft. 

Milkayngo reported that the people were wearing shoes and the tracks were about a month old — about the time of a recent cyclone. He didn’t think the tracks were made by Aboriginal people, or that Aboriginal people would make a raft like the one found. 

Milkayngo’s information enabled Quarantine to enlist a further search of the area by Customs and Police, who found two campsites nearby. Marrthakal Sea Rangers have also been advised of the Marchinbar Island sites for follow up surveillance.

Alfred Walpay (Norforce) visited four sites with Quarantine and found evidence of Aboriginal occupation.

Colin Dudanga (Djelk Sea Rangers) helped with the survey of North Goulburn Island. A wrecked foreign fishing vessel was spotted near Cuthbert Point, and recent footprints along the beach.

With more foreign fishing vessels targeting Top End waters, Aboriginal people have an important part to play in surveillance and reporting these threats to authorities.

Media Contact: Kay Carvan DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232

Interviews with Glenn Bellis available

AQIS-NAQS Aboriginal Liaison Officer Neville Gulay Gulay is available to translate into Djinan or Gupapunu