News release - VMS plays key role in conviction

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/13279.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[bugman]

1 August, 2003

Electronic Tracking equipment plays key role in fisheries conviction
The Department of Primary Industries state-of-the-art vessel monitoring system (VMS) has played a key role in convicting and fining a commercial trawl operator $10,000 for fishing offences.

Damien Norgaard, 31, of Bundaberg pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on July 28 for exceeding his allocated fishing days and for not ensuring his VMS unit was functioning correctly.

Mr Norgaard was fined $6,500 plus $62.10 court costs for the offences and a further $3,500, based on a percentage of proceeds he made from selling the illegal catch.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district officer, Geoff Fergusson, Bundaberg, said the VMS data was critical to the conviction.

“Under fisheries legislation, commercial fishers must have the system turned on at all times, allowing VMS operators to electronically track the vessel’s activities and location,” he said.

“Operators notified the patrol that the VMS had not been reporting the vessel’s location.

“Patrol officers then began a lengthy investigation into the person’s fishing activities, discovering he had been illegally fishing and selling the catch.”

Mr Fergusson said the heavy fine sent a strong message to commercial operators about how seriously the courts took fisheries legislation.

“Fisheries regulations are in place for a reason which is to protect and conserve Queensland’s fish stocks,” he said.

“People who do the wrong thing will be caught and will pay the price. They should weigh this up before heading out to fish.”



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Further information: Geoff Fergusson (07) 4131 5851
Media Officer: Liz Smith Ph: +61 7 3224 7757
Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001. Fax +61 7 3239 0860
DPI Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23

[Kerry]

Well the state-of-the-art VMS didn't do all that well with the Eastern leader last year, did it? A guy washes ashore after 2 days in the water and if VMS (or its operators) was doing exactly what it was supposed to be doing then things might have been different.

Maybe that incident stirred policy a little, lets hope so as the so called state-of-the-art system, policy and/or procedures appeared to fail badly in that incident.

Cheers, Kerry.
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