From fisheries department - dated 13 September A costly reminder that it is illegal to interfere with fishing gear .A man was fined $ 3000 and issued with $225.90 in court costs earlier this week for taking a octopus pot after it’s long line became tangled with his anchor in Cockburn Sound last year. the man had removed the pot , taken it home and attached a pool noodle to it as a float before using it to fish for octopus himself. Unlawful interference with Commercial fishing gear carries a penalty of up to $25000 and / or up to 12 months imprisonment or confiscation of boat and vehicle  used in illegal activity .Most fishers do the right thing