Maritime Security Threats
The Australian Government recognises the following maritime security threats to Australia's national interests:
- Illegal exploitation of natural resources
- Illegal activity in protected areas
- Unauthorised maritime arrivals
- Prohibited imports/exports
- Maritime Terrorism
- Piracy
- Compromise to Bio-security
- Marine pollution.
Border Protection Command has responsibility for assessing the likelihood of these threats occurring, to manage the threats, and share information regarding these threats to Australian and foreign agencies.
Illegal exploitation of natural resources
Australia's national interests are threatened by the illegal exploitation of natural resources in its maritime domain. This includes:
- Unauthorised foreign fishing undertaken by foreign fishing vessels in the Exclusive Economic Zone
- Operations by vessels in direct support of foreign fishing vessels such as the transfer of catches at sea
- Illegal or unsustainable practices by domestic fishermen
- The removal or destruction of wildlife for illegal purposes
- Activities that cause unlawful damage to the ecosystem.
See fact sheet: Illegal Foreign Fishing
Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals
Australia's national interests are threatened by any unauthorised arrival of people. The Australian Government has responsibility for the lawful and orderly entry of people into Australia, along with ensuring that only those foreign nationals who are appropriately authorised are allowed to stay.
Piracy
Australia's national interests are threatened by any act of maritime piracy in its maritime domain. Maritime piracy includes organised attacks against vessels or infrastructure along with any opportunistic attacks.
Maritime Terrorism
Australia's national interests are threatened by any act of maritime terrorism in its maritime domain. Categories of terrorist attack include, but are not limited to:
- Attacks on critical infrastructure
- Attacks on vessels and commercial interests
- Environmental / biological attacks on the maritime area.
Fact sheets:
For information about counter-terrorism go to the Australian Government's National Security website.
Illegal Activity in Protected Areas
Australia's national interests are threatened by illegal activity in protected areas within its maritime domain. Protected areas include:
- Protected Areas within designated Marine Reserves;
- Designated areas within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park;
- Declared Protected Zones around Australia's offshore oil and gas installations, submerged pipelines/cables and
- Declared historic wreck sites.
Prohibited Imports/Exports
Australia's national interests are threatened by prohibited activities in relation to importation or exportation of goods. Prohibited activities include:
- Smuggling
- Transferring goods at sea
- Illegal importation / exportation of goods
- The import / export of prohibited goods.
Compromise to Bio-Security
Australia's national interests are threatened by any compromise to its bio-security introduced through the maritime domain. Potential security threat events in this category include:
- Deliberate introduction
- Inadvertent introduction.
Marine Pollution
Australia's national interests are threatened by any damaging marine pollution. Adverse results from such attacks could result in:
- Marine spills and discharges
- Marine debris
- Marine obstruction.