Nine fishers busted with 'highly-prized' sea cucumber haul

The lure of a sea cucumber haul has landed nine fishers in hot water with the law.

The crew were targeting highly-prized sea cucumber, also known as trepang, a sea creature commonly sold in Asian markets.

Authorities initially identified a group of Indonesian fishers on a small tender vessel. 

They were later led to another vessel hidden in the mangroves.

The ABF said several of the crew then attempted to flee into the mangroves before they were detained.

Authorities seized 170 kilograms of trepang, 170 kilograms of salt used for preserving catch and a large quantity of fishing equipment from the vessel. 

The crew were transported to Darwin for further investigation.

Both the main vessel and tender vessel were subsequently destroyed at-sea in accordance with Australian law.

All nine fishers were charged with offences against the Fisheries Management Act 1991. 

The ABF said the master of the vessel was released on a $12,000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a period of five years, with a 120-day period of imprisonment imposed in the event of default.  

Meanwhile the remaining eight crew members were released on $8000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for a period of four years, with 80-day periods of imprisonment imposed in the event of default.

The fishers will be removed from Australia and returned to Indonesia.