National data obtained by the ABC reveals the scale of the increase in illegal fishing boats being intercepted since the pandemic began.

In 2018-19 just five boats were intercepted and four the following year, but that figure jumped up to 85 boats in 2020-21.

In the past three months alone more than 100 boats have been intercepted.

There is concern the fishermen are doing long-term damage by walking on delicate coral and stripping the reefs of marine life like trepang, shark and fish.