Court issues fine to fisher who obstructed Fisheries officers  

 

A 23 year-old Baldivis man has been ordered to pay fines, an additional mandatory penalty and court costs totalling almost $3,000 for obstructing Fisheries officers, taking a protected crab and not having a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence.

In Rockingham Court last week (Thursday 3 November), Jason Lee HOSON was issued the order in relation to offences that occurred in December last year (2011).

The court was told two uniformed Fisheries and Marine Officers had approached Hoson and another man, who were retrieving a vessel from the water at Rockingham’s Palm Beach Boat Ramp.

It also heard that when he was asked whether he had any crabs, he took an esky from the vessel removed two crabs from it and threw them into the water without warning.

By throwing the crabs into the water, the offender had prevented the officers from measuring them. He was fined $1500 on the obstruction charge.

Hoson was also fined $700, plus an additional mandatory penalty of $40, for having a spawning female (a totally protected fish) among the crabs remaining in the esky.

In addition, the fisher was unable to produce a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence and a subsequent check of the licensing database revealed that Hoson did not hold the required licence. He was fined $600 for not having the licence and also ordered to pay court costs of $121.95.

Department of Fisheries’ South Metro Compliance Manager John Breeden said, while most fishers did the right thing, this case was a reminder that everyone was required to follow the lawful direction of Fisheries and Marine Officers.

“The officers have a job to do to ensure that Western Australia’s fishing rules are enforced and there is a community expectation that we do that,” Mr Breeden said.

“One of the crabs remaining in the esky was a spawning female and it is vital that they remain protected to ensure the future of WA’s crab fisheries.

“It is up to fishers to be aware of whether or not they need a licence for the fishing activity they are involved in and what the rules apply to the species they are targeting.”

 

Department of Fisheries Tuesday 8 November 2011