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Illegal abalone haul results in hefty fines

Monday 5 January, 2009

Two men have been found guilty in the Port Lincoln Magistrates Court of a number of abalone related fisheries offences.

The charges related to an incident back in January 2008 when Fisheries Officers stopped the two recreational divers as part of a routine patrol at Point Drummond, west of Cummins on Eyre Peninsula.

When officers checked their catch they found the men to have around 200 abalone and 59 were undersize.

Daniel Jakob Lauriston, 27, of Port Lincoln and Mark Dale Kingdon, 25, of North Shields were found guilty of taking over the bag limit of abalone, taking undersize abalone and failing to carry an accurate measuring device to measure the abalone.

As a result Mr Kingdon was fined $4390.72 including additional penalty and Court costs. Mr Lauriston was fined a total of $3075.72 including additional penalty and Court costs.

PIRSA Fisheries, Regional Manager West, Mr Andrew Carr, said the daily catch limit for abalone is five per person and it is mandatory to carry a suitable measuring device when fishing for abalone in South Australia.

“Catch limits are put in place to ensure our fisheries remain sustainable and can be enjoyed by everyone, both now and in the future,” Mr Carr said.

“The State’s abalone stocks are valuable and any illegal activity on this scale has the potential to damage their long term sustainability.”

Members of the public who suspect any illegal fishing activity are urged to report it via the Fishwatch telephone number (1800 065 522).

Further information contact: Mr Andrew Carr, PIRSA Fisheries Regional Manager West, on 0438 459 679.