Illegal fishing vessels pose a significant threat to Australia's agricultural sector, with biosecurity concerns mounting. Australian primary producers are deeply worried about the potential introduction of foreign pests, which could devastate entire industries. Beef and horticulture crops are particularly vulnerable to pests found in neighboring countries to Australia's north, such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Since the start of the year, Border Force has intercepted at least 13 suspected illegal fishing boats in Queensland waters near Cape York, believed to be from Indonesia or Papua New Guinea. More suspected foreign boats were spotted in the Torres Strait on the weekend, and photographs obtained by the ABC show an Indonesian boat pulling into a creek on the mainland. Some foreign fishers have even landed on islands in the Torres Strait in recent weeks.
The stakes are high, with a billion-dollar industry at risk. Cape York grazier Joy Marriott warns of the potential devastation of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) if they were to enter Australia from Indonesia. She also expresses concern about the screw-worm fly from Papua New Guinea. Currently, Australia remains free of these threats, but the consequences of an outbreak could be catastrophic.
Ms. Marriott emphasizes the need for improved biosecurity controls, stating that without effective measures, disease outbreaks are inevitable. An outbreak of LSD alone could cost Australia $7.4 billion in the first year due to lost trading opportunities. Mango grower and president of horticulture group FNQ Growers, Joe Moro, agrees, highlighting the wide range of [horticultural] crops that could be affected by foreign pests and diseases not present in Australia. The threat is real and serious, he says.
The president of the National Farmers Federation, Hamish McIntyre, underscores the nationwide impact of this biosecurity threat. He warns that these illegal fishing boats can inadvertently bring in pests, diseases, or contaminated materials that could devastate Australian agriculture and potentially shut down industries overnight. It's not just agriculture; it's a national security issue, he adds.
To address this, the federal government has launched Operation Broadstaff, a multi-agency operation targeting foreign fishing boats illegally entering Australian waters in north Queensland and the Torres Strait. Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt emphasizes the government's commitment to taking strong action against illegal fishing, citing environmental and health reasons.
However, some argue that more needs to be done. State Member for Cook David Kempton calls for a secure border and suggests utilizing the knowledge and surveillance capabilities of local Islanders. The state government has employed 100 new biosecurity officers, some stationed in Cape York, but there are calls for further measures to protect Australia's agricultural sector from the threats posed by illegal fishing vessels.
