NSW DPI Fisheries on its Facebook page has announced two recent cases of illegal hauls of kingfish up Sydney and previously a large haul of lobster in the Moruya area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Five Sydney men have been convicted and charged with possessing prohibited size fish, having more than the possession limit of fish and master of the boat failing to prevent a serious fisheries offence.
The men were issued fines totalling $9,000 and now have criminal records.
DPI Fisheries officers found the men in possession of 28 prohibited size yellowtail kingfish at Tunks Park boat ramp in Cammeray, Sydney.
Fishermen on the water reported the illegal fishers via the Fishers Watch Phoneline. Already known to fisheries officers, the men were found and the illegally caught fish and boat was seized.
DPI Fisheries encourages anyone who suspects illegal fishing to report in via the Fishers Water Phoneline. The line is manned during business hours, where reports are sent directly to the relevant fisheries officer.
Outside of business hours, each call is directed according to geographical area to the appropriate fisheries officers.
Fisheries officers spend many hours on patrol, detecting and preventing illegal fishing, but we still need your help. Report suspected illegal fishing via 1800 043 536, online (www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance/report-illegal-activity) or to your nearest Fisheries Office.
The following information is helpful to fisheries officers:
- Type of activity
- Time, date and location of activity
- Number of people and any descriptions
- Registration numbers of cars and boats
If you report illegal activity involving the take of abalone, rock lobster or the harming of marine vegetation you may be entitled to a monetary reward (www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance/monetary).
For general fishing information, call the Fisheries Information Line on 1300 550 474.
Illegal lobster haul in marine park
Two young fishers who illegally took lobsters from Batemans Marine Park have learnt a hard lesson by having to collectively pay nearly $30,000 in fines and court costs.
The men faced court earlier this year after being found in illegal possession of eastern rock lobsters and threatening fisheries officers.
The two men, aged 20 and 23 years, attempted to escape officers by reversing their vehicle 200 metres up a busy street, nearly hitting a fisheries officer before being stopped. One man fled the scene with a catch bag of 11 lobsters, five of which were undersize.
Fisheries officers recovered and seized the lobsters, as well as the motor vehicle and dive gear. The two men faced Moruya Local Court, pled guilty and were convicted of a number of offences including possess more than the possession limit of lobsters, possess prohibited size lobsters, obstructing a fisheries officer in the exercise of functions and assaulting a fisheries officer.
The 20-year-old man was required to pay over $12,000 in fines and courts costs, and the 23 year-old man must pay $8,400 in fines.The Local Court Magistrate also ordered forfeiture of the seized motor vehicle, at a cost of $2,000 to the 23 year old, as this provided the strongest deterrent against this activity happening again.
The 20-year-old Broulee man was also convicted for an earlier offence relating to possessing a spear gun in a sanctuary zone, spearing a groper and obstructing fisheries officers, receiving a further $5,200 in fines and court costs.
Anyone with information about suspected illegal fishing activity is encouraged to call the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 056 or report online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance/report-illegal-activity
