Cape York Weekly FREE – #268 | Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Editorial: editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au|Advertising: sales@region.com.au
ILLEGAL BOATS IN OUR WATERS Little done to stop them, say locals
INSIDE TODAY
SLOW DOWN OR PAY UP Page 3
by CHISA HASEGAWA TORRES Strait residents have been left with no real answers after a surge in illegal fishing activity on local waters over the past month. In January alone, at least nine foreign fishing vessels were spotted on Torres Strait waters. While some were intercepted, questions remain on what is being done to proactively protect the region’s residents and environment. The Australian Border Force (ABF) directed ABFC Storm Bay and a helicopter into waters off Roko Island on 14 January after receiving community reports of a vessel allegedly fishing illegally. Officers seized fishing equipment and 200 kilograms of salt, used to preserve catch. But witnesses claim the response took more than six hours and the crew was simply sent on its way. Crew members had already allegedly disembarked onto Roko Island and returned to their boat before ABF intercepted them. “They [ABF] got them [the boat and its crew] to follow them out and around an island. We believe they gave them fuel and sent them on their way, so there’s nothing really being done,” Cape York Camping Punsand Bay’s Kahlia Colquhoun said. “We watched the people in
WELCOME OUR LITTLE LEARNERS Pages 10-11
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS Pages 8 & 9 EVEN TEACHERS GET BUTTERFLIES Page 12 An influx of foreign fishing vessels on Torres Strait waters has left locals concerned for their safety and the delicate ecosystem. Photo: Supplied.
the boat throw stuff overboard before Border Force boarded them. “As we’ve been talking to people, more have been sharing their stories. Apparently they were spotted around Christmas time. Potentially they’ve been in our waters for over a month.” Ms Colquhoun said she had
witnessed foreign crew embark onto the mainland as well. “They were spotted in the mangroves on some islands and on Mabuiag Island. So they’ve touched Australian soil,” she said. “We watched them come into the mainland. But we didn’t know if they were armed, so we got back into the vehicle.
“It’s really scary; I cannot fathom why nothing has happened.” Ten days later, ABF intercepted four foreign vessels and their crews allegedly fishing illegally in Torres Strait waters. – Continued page 2
ASH BACKS OUR SPORTS ACES Page 18
WHAT’S ON @ THE ALBY... MONDAY $18 PASTA
NIGHT
YOUR CHOICE OF SAUCE TOSSED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE PASTA: SPAGHETTI LINGUINE CHICKEN TORTELLINI OR GF PENNE
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
TACOS! TRIVIA YOUR CHOICE NIGHT OF 3 TACOS FOR $15
SPORTS BAR 6PM - 8.30PM
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$15
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FRIDAY 5.30 – 7.30PM
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JACKPOTS WEEKLY ‘TIL JOKER IS FOUND!
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MUSICAL BINGO FREE TO PLAY WITH GREAT PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS
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