Wildlife and Environmental Crime Team
Background
In September 2013, the Australian Government established the Reef Trust as part of
its Reef 2050 Plan. The Reef Trust will assist in the delivery of the Dugong and Turtle
Protection Plan (DTPP), which is focusing on the protection of listed threatened and
migratory species including the dugong and turtle populations of Far North
Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands from the threats of poaching, illegal
hunting and marine debris.
What is the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Team?
The Australian Crime Commission has established the Wildlife and Environmental
Crime Team (WECT) as a component of the DTPP. The WECT will enhance the
understanding of suspected organised illegal poaching and trade of turtle and
dugong meat and other products around the Great Barrier Reef and the Torres
Strait, including understanding methodologies, persons of interest, and links to other
criminality such as money laundering and drug trafficking.
Turtles and dugongs are a vital part of marine ecosystems, contributing to the health
and maintenance of seagrass beds, which in turn are vital to the reproduction and
survival of fish and other marine life including those found on the Great Barrier Reef.
The WECT acknowledges the right of traditional Indigenous owners to hunt these
species which is permitted under the Native Title Act 1993 for personal, domestic or
non-commercial communal needs. The WECT will engage with Indigenous
communities to ensure an awareness of the impact of illegal poaching and trade on
these rights. The Australian Crime Commission was extensively involved with
Indigenous communities through the work of the National Indigenous Intelligence
Task Force between July 2006 and June 2014, and therefore has a strong
understanding of the cultural and social issues within Indigenous communities.
The WECT will build upon the Australian Crime Commission’s earlier work to identify
the nature and extent of wildlife and environmental crime, in cooperation with
Commonwealth, state and territory law enforcement and government stakeholders.
What does the WECT do?
The WECT has three main objectives:
1. To conduct intelligence collection into the alleged existence of an organised
illegal trade in turtle and dugong meat and products, including the targeting
and disruption of those suspected of being involved in this trade.
2. To develop a broader understanding of other wildlife and environmental
crime in Australia, particularly where it has links to serious and organised
crime groups.
3. To identify potential opportunities for intervention against illicit wildlife
traffickers.
The WECT’s findings will be shared with government and law enforcement
stakeholders to advise of policy and/or legal vulnerabilities that are being exploited
and enabling these types of crime.
How does the WECT collect information?
The WECT collects information by:
 working closely with law enforcement, Commonwealth, state and territory
government stakeholders, non-government organisations, academic
institutions and international authorities as required
 engaging with Indigenous communities and organisations
 using Australian Crime Commission special capabilities to source information
that cannot be accessed by other methods.
What information does the WECT collect?
The WECT is collecting information about wildlife and environmental crime that:
 identifies individuals and groups involved
 identifies methodologies used to facilitate this type of crime
 identifies additional associated criminality.
For media enquiries relating to the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Team,
please contact the Australian Crime Commission’s Media Team on 02 6243 6843,
0409 603 637 or media@crimecommission.gov.au.