DILI, 30 April 2026 — At least three foreign fishing vessels have been spotted operating illegally in Timor-Leste’s southern waters, weeks after authorities seized an Indonesian-flagged vessel carrying 32 crew members in an enforcement operation.
The vessels were spotted on the night of April 29 by a team from ENI conducting seismic surveys off Timor-Leste’s southern coast. The crew documented them in videos and photographs.
“We have spotted another three illegal fishing vessels. Two have successfully fled from our sight; meanwhile, we managed to take videos and photos of one fishing vessel suspected of carrying more than 10 fishermen,” Fish Liaison Officer of ENI Company, Galiano Waidau, said in a statement.
He said the Indonesian-flagged vessel was suspected to have come from East Nusa Tenggara province in Indonesia.
The recent surge in illegal fishing activity has placed the country’s southern coast on high alert.
Waidau stressed the need for strengthened maritime enforcement, calling for regular patrols and better-equipped maritime units to help curb illegal fishing.
“It requires regular and routine patrols with well-equipped facilities for the Timor-Leste Marine Patrol Unit to help combat illegal fishing in the country,” he said.
Two weeks ago, an Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel operating illegally inside Timor-Leste’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), identified as KM Makmur Rejeki Mulya, was intercepted by the Maritime Police Unit of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) in waters off Uatucarbau Administrative Post, Viqueque Municipality.
The vessel was carrying 32 crew members and around nine tonnes of illegal catch, marking one of the most significant recent enforcement actions against illegal fishing in the country.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, illegal fishing has remained a persistent challenge in Timor-Leste’s waters in recent years. In 2018, around 107 illegal vessels were detected in the Timor Sea, with an estimated 239,460 tonnes of fish taken, valued at more than US$1 billion.
In 2019, authorities recorded 69 illegal vessels, resulting in an estimated loss of 147,975 tonnes of fish, valued at about US$838 million. In 2020, 48 vessels were recorded, with about 1,563 tonnes of fish stolen, worth roughly US$9.6 million.
Between 2024 and 2026, Timor-Leste is estimated to have lost more than US$48.5 million due to illegal fishing, with around 2,200 tonnes of fish reportedly taken from its waters.
Illegal fishing continues to threaten marine resources and the country’s long-term economic interests.
TATOLI
