A Dudley Park man has been fined more than $11,000 for pulling a lobster pot registered to his wife several times and interfering with other pots that did not belong to him or family members.
Fisheries officers observed the recreational fisher with another man out on the water near Blue Bay on November 7, 2016, and witnessed them pulling, setting and interfering with nine lobster pots.
It’s an offence for a person to pull or set a rock lobster pot, unless that fishing gear has the identification number unique to that person’s rock lobster licence.
36-year-old Richard Collard of Dudley Park who was the skipper and owner of the vessel the men were on, entered a plea of guilty when he appeared in Mandurah Court last Friday.
A magistrate issued Collard an $11,000 fine and $190.85 in court costs.
Daylan Nathan (36) from Halls Head was fined $4,500 and costs of $190.85 on October 13.
It was also revealed in court that during targeted surveillance of Collard’s vessel in Blue Bay, on November 8, 2016, he was observed with another man Daniel Potter (aged 32 from Halls Head) pulling, setting or interfering with five rock lobster pots.
Potter was fined $2,000 and ordered to also pay court costs of $190.85 for his offences.
Compliance Manager for the South Metropolitan Region John Breeden said the nature of rock lobster fishing required pots to be set and left unattended.
“Pots are marked clearly with unique floats and gear identification numbers, so there is no excuse for confusing one pot with another.
“WA’s fisheries are well managed and the minority of fishers who do the wrong thing have triggered community backlash, especially through social media, so the significant result in this case shows how serious the consequences of offending can be.”
Call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 to report any suspected illegal fishing activity.
Information on rules and limits is available in the Rock lobster recreational fishing guide, which can be viewed or downloaded at www.fish.wa.gov.au.
Postman injured in Wannanup crash
Man charged after allegedly stealing service medals from Greenfields storage unit
South West resort receptionist charged with 32 fraud offences
Daughter of Port Kennedy hit-and-run victim pleads for offenders to hand themselves in
Concerns for missing woman last seen in Mandurah
Mandurah woman wanted for questioning over current investigation
Investigation underway into Bunbury sexual assault
Two motorcyclists seriously injured in separate crashes
Miraculous escape for two men after plane goes down south of Mandurah