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• Rangers uncover illegal fishing camp

KLC Media statement, November 25, 2009

The Mayala Rangers have been recognised for their work in uncovering and destroying an illegal fishing camp concealed on an island in the Buccaneer Archipelago.

The Kimberley Land Council’s Mayala Rangers last week received a regional Australian Biosecurity Award – the first ever won by a group or organisation in the Kimberley.

The rangers were conducting routine sample collection and ant trapping work for the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service on Bedford Island in September when they detected the illegal booty.

The full contents of the discovery were catalogued, photographed and subsequently destroyed, which is consistent with AQIS training and protocols.

Mayala Traditional Owner Sandy Isaac said large crates containing cooking gear and tarpaulins were hidden under a rocky ledge while matches and cutlery were buried in the sand.

 

The island is a known stopping place for reef raiders seeking trochus shell.

“The illegal fisherman obviously knew what they were doing. They would have had to know about the tides and what the weather was doing because they would have needed a good still tide to sneak across at night,’’ Mr Isaac said.

“They also knew where they were going. They would have visited the island before setting up camp because they knew it had freshwater and mangroves to hide the boats.’’

Mr Isaac said illegal fisherman on the hunt for trochus shell, shark fin, dolphins and fish, threatened marine species by overfishing and killing endangered species. He also said illegal fishing could destroy native flora and fauna through the introduction of diseases and pests found on the boat, in debris and molluscs attached to the boat’s hull.

“These people have got no respect,’’ Mr Isaac said.

“Thankfully we have got people who work in customs and we have got rangers. Through a combination of really working together we can protect Australia for future generations. ’’

Kimberley Land Council Deputy Director Nolan Hunter praised the work of the Mayala Rangers in applying the skills they had learned in training to on-ground inspection work.

“The meticulous and thorough work of the Mayala Rangers led to the discovery of the illegal fishing camp. Their find put a stop to any potential damage and has rid the Buccaneer Archipelago of some of these illegal fishing crooks. ’’ he said.

“Through a combination of traditional cultural knowledge and western science, the Mayala Rangers have been able to identify, protect, manage and look after their country. Our Rangers are the eyes and ears for authorities, working on their country to provide a better future for their children.’’