Crab pot raiders cop $3000 fines

[snakecatcher]

From DPI website

Crab pot raiders cop $3000 fines
News release | 23 August, 2006


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Three Mackay men caught in the act of raiding crab pots have been fined $3000 each plus court costs following prosecution proceedings in the Proserpine Magistrate's Court on Monday (August 21).

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries prosecuting officer Kevin Kane said two of three fishers pleaded guilty to the Queensland Fisheries Act offence of interfering with fisheries apparatus and were handed a $3000 fine with no conviction recorded.

A third man Mackay plumber Stephen John Wales did not appear and entered no plea and was subsequently fined $3000 with a conviction recorded.

Mr Kane, a field officer with the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol based at Airlie Beach, said the offenders pulled four crab pots from the Proserpine River on December 11 last year.

"These set pots were seeded with five micro-tagged mud crabs subsequently found in their possession aboard their vessel," Mr Kane said.

"Crab pot raiding is regarded as one of Queensland's biggest fisheries enforcement issues generating the bulk of the complaints lodged with the Patrol and is extremely difficult to police," Mr Kane said.

Mr Kane said the maximum fine that could be imposed for interfering with fishing apparatus was $37,500 but the $3000 fines imposed by the Proserpine Court would send a clear message to fishers who illegally "farm" other people's crab pots.

[hussy]

excellent, hope they do buxton, burrum heads area. great to see these scumbags get there just deserts. hubby

[finga64]

Excellent
They should have taken the vessel as well and sold it off to pay for more captures

[Pistol_P]

hang,em

[garpe]

Excellent , they should take there boat licenses off them for life. My pots have been pilferred on numerous accassions, one nice theif once left me a full stubby for my crabs.