Following a big jump the previous year in the number of sightings of Indonesian fishing boats, and the signing of an Australian-Indonesian agreement on 'traditional fishermenj in 1975 the RAN began a new concept in fisheries patrolling. Commanded by Captain Eric Johnston, then Naval Officer Commanding North Australia, Operation TROCHUS 75 was described by him as 'Intensification': 'Instead of visiting the area on a fairly haphazard basis, the aim this year is to have Naval aircraft and a patrol boat there on a permanent basis during the fishing season.
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