Net fisher pays the price for illegal haul

A 31 year old Bateman’s Bay man has been fined $10,000, ordered to complete 50 hours community service and given a five year good behaviour bond after being found guilty of illegally using an ocean hauling net on the State’s South Coast.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said fisheries officers found the man fishing as part of a licensed fishing crew on Mullimburra Head, south of Moruya.

“Fisheries officers had warned the man the day before he was charged that he was not permitted to actively fish with the crew,” Mr Tritton said.

“When he was found the following day committing the same offence, he was charged with unlawfully using a general purpose hauling net.

“The offender held a commercial fishing licence, however he did not have an endorsement that permitted him to operate a general purpose hauling net in the ocean hauling fishery.

“This is not the first time the man has been caught violating fishing rules with this offence being a breach of a five year good behaviour bond he had received in a previous fishing conviction for illegal abalone fishing in 2009.

“He was fined an additional $1500 for breaching this original bond and placed on another five year good behaviour bond, which applies to his day-to-day life, not just his fishing activity.”

Mr Tritton said commercial fishers are required to comply with a series of licensing and endorsement requirements and penalties for non-compliance can be severe.

“To use, or assist someone to use, a general purpose hauling net, individuals must have an endorsement, with maximum penalties for failing to comply with this requirement up to $44,000 and 12 months imprisonment,” Mr Tritton said.

“These tough penalties serve as a reminder to fishers to ensure they understand the rules with regard to commercial fishing and have the appropriate licences and endorsements in place, or risk the facing the consequences.

“Fisheries Officers will continue to target illegal commercial fishing activity on the South Coast and across the State.”

To report illegal fishing activity, contact the Fisher’s Watch Phone line on 1800 043 536.

More information on commercial fishing rules and regulations in NSW can be found online at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au.

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