$4000 fine and loss of boat

[nsw_fisheries]

http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/gen/news/fb_03July7-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"

[bugman]

$4000 fine and loss of boat for man caught with illegal net
July 7, 2003

A 49-year-old Fairfield man has been fined $4000 and ordered to forfeit his $6000 boat for illegally possessing a commercial fishing net at Botany Bay.

In Waverley Local Court today, the man was also fined an additional $500 for possessing undersized fish and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond for exceeding the bag limit for tailor.

The Director of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, said the penalty was one of the toughest imposed for illegal fishing activity in recent years.

“It sends a clear warning that courts are willing to deal seriously with offenders who breach fishing laws,” Mr Dunn said.

“Such behaviour threatens the sustainability of the State’s fish resources, which are owned by the entire community.”

Mr Dunn said that on April 23, NSW Fisheries officers found the man with the 123m long net at the Penrhyn St boat ramp at Botany Bay, a recreational fishing haven.

“Also, the man’s net was made of monofilament, a material that has been banned for use in fishing nets in NSW for many years.

“Monofilament nets are known as “grab all” nets because their extremely small meshing catches all fish caught in the net’s path.”

Mr Dunn said the man’s boat and trailer, valued ay $6000, were seized at the time of the offence. The court today also ordered that they be forfeited in addition to the fine.

[gruntahunter]

Crikey thats the last time I take my 123metre net to the boat ramp! ::) ::) ::).

[adriancorrea]

No wonder you were so keen on lending it to me grunta lol ;D ::)

Tight Lines
Adrian

[spinna]

Good to see. Now all we need are bans on all nets and that includes pros in the estuarys.


cheers spinna 8) ;)

[fishfinder]

Taking a mans boat is worse than shagging his wife, but looks like this guy deserved it!

[harrya64]

Good for the courts Maybe they should have gave him some weekend detenion as well!
But then maybe he would have had a Heart Attack or something , Like a Stock broker what was his name?