From the Department of Primary Industries

Thursday April 24, 2008

NEGLIGENCE NETS HEAVY COSTS FOR LOBSTER FISHERMAN

A 53 year old professional fisherman from Anglesea is more than four thousand dollars poorer after being convicted on two counts of illegally trying to catch rock lobsters.

He pleaded not guilty to setting lobster pots in the Eagle Rock Marine Park, in July last year.

However Magistrate White, in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, said the man had been negligent in his setting of the pots and fined him $200.

The fisherman also pleaded guilty to fishing for rock lobster in the closed season, last November and was convicted and fined another $750.

The Magistrate also ordered him to pay $3,500 in costs.

He said it is necessary for commercial fishermen to make sure fishing equipment is not in a Marine Park and the defendant showed negligence to an unacceptable degree.

Senior Fisheries Officer, Paul Millar, said it is vital commercial fishers obey the rules and ensure they are acting within them.

“Observing closed seasons and keeping marine parks sacrosanct are vital factors in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and ensuring a sustainable and viable fishery,” Mr Millar said.

“Anyone who sees illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24 hour reporting line, 13-FISH 13 3474”