From the Department of Primary Industries

Friday July 4, 2008

$1,000 FINE AND SUSPENDED JAIL TERM FOR ABALONE THIEF

A man who failed to appear in court to face abalone stealing charges, in March, was fined $1,000 and given a suspended jail sentence when he appeared in the Frankston Magistrates court yesterday.

John Benjamin McMahon, of no fixed address, was arrested by Fisheries officers and Police last week, in Yarra Glen, after avoiding court for abalone poaching at Fossil Beach, near Mornington.

McMahon was remanded in custody before his court appearance yesterday.

The court heard McMahon, formerly of New South Wales, travelled to the Mornington Peninsula in a hire car last March for the purpose of taking abalone.

Mc Mahon was apprehended by Fisheries officers with 77 abalone, during the closed season. He also gave Fisheries officers a false name when intercepted.

He pleaded guilty to contravening a prohibition, using commercial equipment to take more than the legal bag limit and giving a false name.

McMahon was convicted and sentenced to 90 days imprisonment, with 82 days suspended for 18 months.

He was also fined $1000, ordered to pay $131 costs and to forfeit all his equipment.

Fisheries Officer Harold Roeding said this result and other recent court matters demonstrate that with the community’s support, and through our effective compliance regime, our fish stocks will be protected for the future.

“Members of the public who see illegal fishing operations are urged to call the 24-hour reporting line, 13 FISH 13 3474.”