A suspected illegal fishing boat has been seized in Australian waters and its crew have been detained by Border Force. 

The foreign vessel was intercepted on Friday in the Torres Strait, after reports from residents on Little Adolphus Island.

Australian Border Force (ABF) said officers found about 700kg of salt, which is used to preserve fish, along with fishing equipment on board the vessel. 

The boat was reportedly ‘located before any marine life was caught’, according to authorities. 

The crew will be taken to Darwin for further investigation over suspected breaches of the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984, which regulates fishing in the area.

It has not been confirmed which country the boat was registered in or where the crew embarked. 

The ABF said the vessel was the 24th foreign fishing boat intercepted in Australian waters this year, with 14 of those vessels subsequently destroyed. 

A suspected illegal fishing boat has been seized in Australian waters 

Albany Island Fishing Tours owner Dave Hartwell was the first to report the vessel after receiving a call from one of his tour guides near the tip of Cape York Peninsula.

He told ABC News the guide spotted ‘about seven’ people on board walking around the vessel.

‘He was a bit shocked, actually, rang me so we could report it straight away,’ he said.

The guide also offered the crew immediate assistance, including water, if they needed it.

‘It wasn’t a very big boat, maybe 30 foot long or 35,’ Mr Hartwell said.

The business owner praised the ‘incredibly fast response’ from Border Force after the vessel was reported.

He added that there had been an influx of illegal fishing boats in the Torres Strait.

A dedicated multi-agency operation, known as Operation Broadstaff, was launched in February to combat the issue and is led by the ABF.

The owner of Albany Island Fishing Tours reported the boat to the ABF after his tour guide spotted it and thought it looked suspicious 

Deputy Commander Maritime Border Command Natasha O’Farrell said the latest seizure demonstrated the success of the operation.

‘Operation BROADSTAFF remains active and this apprehension shows our officers continue to patrol, detect and act against suspected illegal foreign fishing in the Torres Strait,’ she said.

She also thanked local community members who reported the vessel.

‘I want to thank the local community members who reported this vessel,’ she said.

‘Communities across the Torres Strait are vital eyes and ears and one part of a layered approach that includes aerial surveillance, patrol vessels, land patrols and intelligence operations.

‘Illegal fishing activity can fluctuate, but our resolve does not.

‘If you enter Australian waters to fish illegally, you risk losing your catch, your equipment and your vessel, and you may face prosecution.’

The ABF urged anyone with information about suspicious activity that may impact Australia’s border security to report it to Border Watch.