Indonesian fisherman who are caught in traditional fishing grounds that extend into nearby Australian waters can be charged, fined and sometimes jailed. It’s part of Australia’s aggressive approach to managing its maritime borders.
The fishermen’s boats are burned on the spot – leaving them with huge debts and no way to pay them back. In 2009 more than a thousand boats were destroyed, according to the Australian government.
Now one of the fisherman from Kupang in East Indonesia who claims he was unjustly punished is fighting for justice in a land mark legal case in Australia.