Abalone Poacher Jailed
Tuesday, 9th February 1999

A Thevenard man was jailed today for six months for abalone offences which occurred in June 1996.

Alan Roy Haseldine, 45 of Thevenard was convicted and sentenced by Mr Illiano SM for illegally taking 537 abalone and for hindering Fisheries Compliance Officers, at Thistle Island, near Port Lincoln.

Haseldine, along with three other men was caught following a chase at sea by Fisheries Compliance Officers. Haseldine has a long history of fisheries related offences, and has been convicted seven times previously.

The Magistrate also fined Haseldine nearly $30,000 and imposed a six month jail sentence. A vessel valued in excess of $10,000 and diving gear was also forfeited.

The Manager of PIRSA’s Fisheries Compliance, Brian Hemming said today that repeat offenders should expect severe penalties.

“Those people who continually rob the community of South Australia of its natural resources can expect to suffer the consequences.

“The abalone fishery in South Australia should be valued by the whole community and it is in everyone’s best interest to see repeat offenders jailed.”