AUDIT REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESSES IN COMBATING ILLEGAL FOREIGN FISHING
23 February 2010
Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, today welcomed the release of the Australian National Audit Office report on Illegal Foreign Fishing in Australia’s Northern Waters, which concludes that overall Customs and Border Protection has effectively managed and coordinated enforcement operations.
The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of Customs and Border Protection’s performance and make recommendations to clarify the immediate priorities for the program.
“There has been a substantial reduction in apprehensions of foreign fishing vessels in northern waters from 367 in 2005-06 to just 27 in 2008-09.
“This reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to combat this significant maritime security risk and I congratulate Customs and Border Protection for their lead role in managing and coordinating this effort,” Mr O’Connor said.
The report also makes several recommendations – all of which have been accepted by Customs and Border Protection – to clarify the future direction of the program.
The recommendations are of particular use in identifying immediate priorities for the improvement of the program and include:
- Consulting with whole-of-government partner agencies on leadership arrangements;
- Reviewing the capacity of intelligence activities to support longer-term trend forecasting, and;
- Developing robust effectiveness indicators for the program against illegal foreign fishing.
“I understand that Customs and Border Protection has accepted the ANAO’s recommendations and that work is already underway to address them.
“The ongoing effective management and coordination of our efforts to combat illegal foreign fishing will ensure our continued success in managing this maritime threat,” Mr O’Connor said.
Media Contact: Brian Humphreys 0438 595 567 or Customs and Border Protection media (02) 6275 6793
