Sightings of foreign fishing vessels poaching from waters off Australia’s Top End have dropped 40 per cent in the past two years. Much of this success is thanks to remote and long-range patrolling by Norforce soldiers. Mostly indigenous, Norforce patrolmen guard more than 10,000km of coastline using a combination of traditional hunting skills and contemporary military training.
Photography by Gnr Shannon Joyce.

Bush doctor: Traditional medicine expert Pte David Garambarker from Arnhem Land steers his zodiac around rock formations during a water-ops patrol.

Coastal watchers: Pte Michael Wununugumurra from Elcho Island guides a zodiac through a shallow inlet during a water patrol on Operation Resolute on Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria (above). Sharp eye: Pte Kim Wunungmurra from the Lake Evalla Community (above left).

Beach combers: a North West Mobile Force vehicle patrol hugs a coastal stretch on Groote Eylandt.

Fresh rations: Cpl Norman Daymirringu from the Ramingining Community in Arnhem Land locates a mangrove stick of oysters.

Remote: A vehicle patrol makes a shallow river crossing during Operation Resolute.

Self relient: Cpl Norman Daymirringu from the Ramingining Community in Arnhem Land displays a mud crab he speared.