Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

New Customs Vessel to Protect Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Marine Reserves

Joint Media Release

8 May 2007

 

Minister for Justice and Customs
Senator the Hon David Johnston

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
The Hon Malcolm Turnball MP

 

The Australian Government will commit an additional $31.7 million over the next four years to increase patrols and protection of the environmentally sensitive Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Marine Reserves off north-western Australia.

The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator David Johnston and the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, have welcomed the increased surveillance.

The funding in the 2007-08 Budget will allow Customs to procure a dedicated vessel to be based at Ashmore Islands which will ensure better protection against illegal foreign fishing.

Senator Johnston said Customs had already sought tenders for a suitable vessel to be acquired on a charter basis.

“The new vessel will enable Customs and Environment officers to undertake patrols of the reserves, and associated island and reef ecosystems and allow other Customs boats to undertake the wide-ranging, high-speed operations they were designed for.”

The Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and nearby Cartier Island Marine Reserve are located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 320 km off Australia's coast, but only 150 kilometres south of the Indonesian island of Roti. The two reserves cover an area of 750 square kilometres.

Mr Turnbull said while traditional Indonesian fishermen are allowed in the area under a Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Indonesia, they are not allowed to fish in the reserves.

“This is an important breeding and feeding area for rare seabirds, sharks, turtles and dugongs.

“Increasing surveillance is a further indication of Australia’s commitment to conserving these internationally recognised marine parks.”

The new vessel is expected to be operational soon after 1 July this year.

Media contact: 

Brad Burke:  0400 337 252
Sarah Stock:  0404 848 186
Robert Broadfield: 02 6277 7260