Three men have been slapped with fines in the Mandurah Magistrates Court this week over separate fishing offences in the Peel region.
A 42-year-old Swan View man was fined $3174 after he took 109 mullet over the daily bag limit from Herron Point in the Peel-Harvey Estuary.
The man was observed by DPIRD Fisheries Officers in February removing fish from a set fishing net and coming ashore with 58 mullet.
A search of his car revealed a further 81 fresh mullet which he admitted to netting.
The daily bag limit for mullet is 30 and set net fishing is only allowed in Peel-Harvey waters from 4.30pm to midnight on Wednesday nights from November 1 until July 31.
In a separate incident, a 28-year-old Byford man was ordered to pay $2844 for being in possession of 23 undersize blue swimmer crabs which he caught in January off the Coodanup Foreshore.
All the crabs in the man’s possession, including one of legal size, were seized and released back into the water.
In a third matter, a 42-year-old Northbridge man was fined $2244 for possession of undersized crabs taken at the Rivergums Boat Ramp in South Yunderup in December 2024.
The man, who had been fishing from a jetty with crab drop nets, attempted to dispose of two undersize crabs to avoid them being measured by Fisheries Officers.
A third crab in the man’s possession was measured and found to be undersize.
Regional Compliance Metro Director Todd A’Vard said fishers should expect that DPIRD Fisheries Officers could be operating in the Peel region at any time throughout the year.
“Fishers must be aware of the rules prior to going fishing and ensure they don’t fish beyond the bag and size limits which are there to protect the sustainability of these recreational fisheries for everyone to enjoy,” he said.
Anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity should call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 or report the matter via the online form on Crimestoppers.
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