Foreign fishers in Darwin after reef sting

Dozens of foreigners are in immigration detention in Darwin after they were caught with sea cucumbers in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Two Vietnamese boats and 28 crew members were taken to Cairns on Tuesday after being intercepted near Lockhart River at the weekend with a large amount of diving equipment and what is believed to be illegally caught sea cucumbers.

An Australian Fisheries Management Authority spokeswoman says the people found on board are being housed in Darwin, while the boats remain in Cairns.

"If judicial proceedings do occur, this will be conducted in Darwin," she said.