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Man reported for rock lobster offences

Friday 6 March, 2009

A South East man has been reported for a number of serious fishing offences involving rock lobster.

The 41 year-old man from Tantanoola was questioned and reported by PIRSA Fisheries Officers following investigations into his fishing activities in Lighthouse Bay near Carpenter Rocks.  He was found to have committed a variety of offences including pulling unregistered rock lobster pots, pulling pots registered to another person, using more than the allowable number of pots, exceeding the rock lobster bag limit and possessing a commercial quantity of rock lobster taken illegally.   

Fisheries Officers seized a number of items from the man including the vessel he was using, seven rock lobster pots and 37 rock lobsters. 

Under the Fisheries Management Act, the man may face severe penalties including loss of his boat and the right to register recreational rock lobster pots in the future.

In several recent Fisheries prosecutions, the Magistrate placed orders on defendants preventing them from using rock lobster pots for up to five years and engaging in any type of fishing activity for three years.

PIRSA Fisheries Regional Manager, Limestone Coast, Mel Snart reminds fishers that rock lobster pots can only be pulled by the holder of the current registration and a maximum of two Rock lobster pots can be registered to a person.

“Many fishers think that it is okay to pull pots registered to their friends or family members while they are not present, but this is not the case,” Ms Snart said.

Anyone can report illegal fishing activity through the 24 hour FISHWATCH number on 1800 065 522.  Callers may wish to speak to a Fisheries Officer or can choose to remain anonymous.