CANBERRA, Dec. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The Australian government will establish onshore detention facilities for foreign fishermen caught breaking the law in northern Australian waters.

    Under the current policy which is much criticized, foreign fishermen, many from Indonesia, caught breaking the law are held on their boats offshore until they are either sent back to their home countries or face court.

    There will be three remote temporary facilities onshore with a permanent facility, possibly at the unused Coonawarra Detention Center in Darwin, the Northern Territory, which was originally built for asylum seekers, Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio quoted Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald as saying Monday.

    About 200 fishermen could be held under the new arrangements, and any crew members facing charges would be processed within six weeks, according to Macdonald.

    "As they're dealt with by the courts they will be repatriated to Indonesia or put in proper correctional centers," he said.

    The Australian government will also hold talks with Indonesian officials early next year to help stamp out illegal fishing.

    "We're determined to protect our stocks of shark across the topof Australia and we're determined, from a quarantine point of viewas well, to make sure that illegal fishing is stamped out across the north of Australia," he said. Enditem