West Aussie fishers have long cared about looking after our oceans – and now, thanks to a new partnership between Recfishwest and the Australian Border Force (ABF), we’ve got a stronger way to help protect them.
In a first for Australia, fishers can now report suspicious or illegal foreign fishing activity directly through the free Recfishwest app. The new feature links straight to ABF’s Border Watch Online Report form, allowing fishers to quickly pass on details like location and type of activity.
This follows a rise in illegal foreign fishing vessels detected in WA’s north, including the Kimberley Marine Park. With thousands of fishers regularly on the water – often in remote areas – our community is uniquely placed to be the eyes and ears of the coast while supporting ABF’s efforts to safeguard Australia’s marine environment.
Watch the ABC News piece on this new initiative in the video below.
A greater role for fishers as guardians of the sea
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “West Aussie fishers care deeply about protecting our waters and fisheries, and we see it as our responsibility to report illegal or suspicious activity when we’re out there.
“Partnering with the Australian Border Force gives our fishing community a simple and direct way to play an even greater role as ocean stewards.
“With our app already downloaded more than 300,000 times, WA fishers are a powerful ally in safeguarding our northern waters for future generations.”
What to do if you see a suspicious vessel
With illegal foreign fishing activity increasing in WA’s north, fishers are now playing an important role as the eyes and ears on the water. By noting down a few key details and reporting through the Recfishwest app, you can help protect our fisheries and coastline.
What to look out for
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Vessels operating unusually close to shore or in restricted areas (see diagram below for suspicious vessel types).
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Boats loitering or anchored for no clear reason
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No name, registration or flag visible
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Unusual equipment, cargo, or deck activity
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People or goods being transferred between vessels
What to note down
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Location (GPS if possible, or nearest landmark)
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Date and time you saw the activity
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Vessel details: size, colour, markings, registration, name
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Activity: fishing, unloading, unusual manoeuvres
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People: number on board, appearance if visible
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Other details: vehicles, trailers, or gear used nearby
How to report suspicious foreign fishing vessels through the Recfishwest app
• Open the Recfishwest app
• Tap on My Tools
• Select Report Suspicious Fishing Activities — and follow the prompts.
Reports can be made anonymously. Every report helps protect Australia’s borders, marine life and our great fishing lifestyle.
Check out the short video here on how to use this new ABF feature on our app.
The vessels detailed in the image below are examples of what to look for when out on the water.
Read the joint ABF/Recfishwest media release here
As your peak body, we stay on top of emerging issues that could affect fishing like this one. Join the Cast of Thousands today as a Recfishwest member here or donate to us here to help us look after our fisheries and make fishing better.
