Port Stephens fishers face $12,600 sting

[nsw_fisheries]

http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/gen/news/fb_04mar08_fine.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"

[NQCairns]

Port Stephens fishers face $12,600 sting in pocket for illegal lobster fishing
March 8, 2004
Two Port Stephens commercial fishers face fines and legal costs of more than $12,600 after being convicted for illegal lobster fishing, the Acting Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Paul O’Connor, said today.

Mr O’Connor said the men, a 33-year-old from Anna Bay and a 30-year-old from Fern Bay, were found guilty of the offences in Raymond Terrace Local Court. Both men plan to lodge appeals against their convictions.

“The offences occurred at Rocky Point off Port Stephens when NSW Fisheries officers saw the men pass 32 lobsters from their boat to three recreational fishers on another boat.

“All but two of the 32 lobsters were under the legal minimum size and should not have been kept.

“By passing on the lobsters to the recreational fishers, these two commercial fishers avoided having their catch counted as part of their yearly quota.”

The NSW Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Ian Macdonald, said the commercial lobster fishery in NSW is a share-managed fishery in which each commercial fisher is allocated a yearly quota of lobsters.

“Courts clearly recognise illegal lobster fishing as a serious offence that threatens the sustainability of lobster stocks,” Mr Macdonald said.

“Such behaviour is also unfair to the vast majority of commercial lobster fishers who abide by the rules.”

In Raymond Terrace Local Court on Friday, the 33-year-old commercial fisher was fined $5,250 and ordered to pay $2,368 in court and legal costs, while his 30-year-old accomplice was fined $2,750 and faces $2,307 in court and legal costs.

The three recreational fishers who received the lobsters cooperated with NSW Fisheries officers. In an earlier court hearing, they received no penalties under Section 10 of the NSW Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act.

[Lucky_Phill]

How come the NSW Fisheries all always catching these people out, and we hear nothing from the Qld Fisheries ?

Good on NSW and maybe we should take a leaf out of their books and get serious.

Phill

[Big_Kev]

Good to see.
I hope their appeal puts them deeper in the shit.