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nsw_fisheries
23-03-2004, 05:03 AM
http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/gen/news/fb_04mar22_coffs.htm

"This document has been posted for information and to encourage discussion among yourselves. For more information from NSW Fisheries on the issue, please visit our web site on www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au"

jeffo
23-03-2004, 05:25 AM
Coffs Harbour commercial fisher out of pocket $9300 for lobster offences
March 22, 2004
A 56-year-old Coffs Harbour commercial fisher has been ordered to pay more than $9,300 in fines and legal costs after being convicted of illegal lobster fishing.

The Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said the man, who pleaded not guilty to the offences, was sentenced on Friday in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court.

“The offences were detected in July 2001 when NSW Fisheries officers found unused lobster tags on the man’s boat at Coffs Harbour,” he said.

“All lobsters must be tagged by commercial fishers to avoid catch quota fraud.

“The lobster fishery in NSW is a share managed fishery that operates under a management plan. As part of the plan, each commercial fisher is allocated a yearly quota of lobsters.”

In Friday’s sentencing, the fisher was fined $2000 for failing to attach tags to 224 lobsters and $1500 for providing false and/or misleading information on his daily log sheets.

He was also ordered to pay a total of $5875 in court and legal costs.

Mr Dunn said the case showed courts were willing to impose tough penalties for offences under the lobster fishery’s management plan.

“Rules for the fishery’s quota system are in place to ensure lobsters are harvested in a sustainable way,” he said.

“These types of offences are a potential threat to the fishery’s sustainability. They are also unfair to the vast majority of commercial fishers who abide by the rules.”

Mr Dunn said the man, who has indicated he will appeal against his convictions, could be asked to show cause why his lobster shares should not be cancelled under the fishery’s penalty points system.

Anyone concerned about illegal fishing should contact their local NSW Fisheries office or the Fishers’ Watch number 1800 043 536.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Eric Aubert on 8437 4948 or 0419 185 375.

Lucky_Phill
23-03-2004, 12:07 PM
another pro caught doing the wrong thing.

1 caught, but how many missed ?

Phill