A man who stole a crayfish pot off Rockingham has been fined $3000 and had his boat seized by the Department of Fisheries.
The court heard the 34-year-old man pulled a crayfish pot, with a clearly marked ID that was not his, at the southern end of Garden Island in October last year.
A complaint was made to FishWatch the same morning when the owner of the pot confronted the man at Point Peron boat ramp and took his fishing gear back off the offender's boat.
The Seville Grove man appeared in the Rockingham Magistrates Court on Friday where he was granted a spent conviction, fined $3000 and was ordered to forfeit his aluminium 4.5m boat, motor and trailer valued at $6000.
Ten vessels have been seized during the current recreational rock lobster fishing season, with further cases still to be heard.
South Metropolitan Acting Compliance Manager Ryan Parker said the rules around the use of fishing gear were in place to protect everyone’s rights when fishing and our legislation does give them the power of seizure in relation to serious fishing offences.
“Offenders are on notice and today’s ruling is a sharp and costly reminder that fishers should never touch gear that isn’t their own and that, if they do, they should expect to face serious consequences,” Mr Parker said.
“In this case, the offender was also charged and convicted of fishing for rock lobster without a current recreational rock lobster licence.”
Mr Parker said it was also pleasing that members of the recreational fishing community, who take stewardship seriously, were using FishWatch to report concerns or suspicions they have.
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