Recreational Fisher Penalised For Selling Catch
Thursday, 18th February 1999

A recreational fisher from Yorke Peninsula was fined in the Adelaide Magistrates court today for selling his catch. An Adelaide fish processor was also fined for purchasing the fish from the unlicensed fisher.

Rodney John PERKINS (45) of Dalrymple, near Yorketown was fined $31,508 for selling nearly half a tonne of rock lobster and an assortment of marine scale fish including King George whiting over a 17 month period to Malcolm Stemberger (49) a licensed fish processor of Springfield. A vessel, trailer and fishing gear were also forfeited to the Crown.

Stemberger, as the purchaser of the fish, was fined a total of $8,297 for his part in the crime.

In handing down judgement, Ms Hayes SM said this was a very serious offence that should attract harsh penalties. She said that both the Parliament and the general community felt these harsh penalties were necessary to protect a valuable resource.

Outside the court, Brian Hemming, Manager Fisheries Compliance said recreational fishers who tried to rort the system by selling their catch ran the risk of heavy fines and fish processors should also be aware of the consequences of purchasing fish from unlicensed fishers.

‘In South Australia, only holders of a commercial fishing licence are entitled to sell their catch. Those recreational fishers and fish processors who choose to operate outside that licensing system, which has been put in place to sustainably manage our fisheries, run the risk of being caught and must suffer the consequences.’