No more bait fishing for repeat nipper offender

A man who has been repeatedly caught with illegal quantities of saltwater nippers has received suspended jail time and banned from fishing for, and possessing, the bait species anywhere in NSW for five years.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton said the man attended Sutherland Local Court in April 2012 on seven fisheries-related offences.

"The 36 year old man from Sefton was found guilty of all seven offences that related to two separate matters," Mr Tritton said.

"In the first matter he was found guilty of obstructing, abusing and assaulting fisheries officers after being approached at a public boat ramp for routine inspection of his vessel at Port Hacking in April 2011.

"The court heard that on inspection of his vessel the man became abusive towards fisheries officers and later violently pushed one of the officers.

"In the second matter, the man was found in possession of 438 saltwater nippers in December 2010.

"The legal possession limit for saltwater nippers in NSW is 100 per person.

"In relation to both matters the man received a three month suspended jail sentence, 400 hours community service, was fined more than $10,000 and ordered to attend anger management treatment.

"In addition, he was placed on a good behaviour bond and is prohibited from taking, gathering or possessing saltwater nippers anywhere in NSW for five years."

Mr Tritton said this case should send a strong warning to those people who continually ignore fisheries regulations and place our fisheries resources in jeopardy.

"These tough penalties follow a conviction in February 2012 where the same man was fined $6,645.30 by Gosford Local Court for taking 6,937 saltwater nippers for the purpose of sale," Mr Tritton said.

"Over the last six years this offender has been apprehended on six separate occasions and found in possession of 13,400 illegal saltwater nippers.

"On three occasions he has been found guilty of obstructing or abusing fisheries officers and showing a blatant disregard for fisheries regulations, and fined in excess of $40,000 for his illegal actions.

"This latest result shows that the courts take illegal fishing extremely seriously and it sends a strong message those people who believe they are above the law when it comes to illegal fishing in NSW."

Anyone with information on illegal fishing activity is encouraged to contact their local Fisheries office or call the Fisher’s Watch line on 1800 043 536.

History of serial saltwater nipper offender:

• Found in possession of more than 6900 saltwater nippers at Cottage Point near Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park in January 2011. The man faced charges in Gosford Local Court of taking fish for sale without a commercial fishing licence. He was found guilty and the court fined him a total of $6,645.30.
• Found in possession of more than 2000 saltwater nippers at Port Hacking in January 2010. The man faced charges in the Supreme Court of exceeding the possession limit and resisting or obstructing a fisheries officer. He was found guilty of all charges and fined a total of $6,000.
• Found in possession of more than 2500 saltwater nippers at Port Hacking in December 2009. He faced charges in Campbelltown Local Court of exceeding the possession limit. The man was found guilty and the fined $14,159.
• Found in possession with 1500 saltwater nippers at Port Hacking in December 2008. The man faced charges in Campbelltown Local Court of exceeding the possession limit and resisting or obstructing a fisheries officer. He was found guilty of both charges and the court fined him a total of $3,679.

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