Fisherman pleads guilty to interfering with a lawful fishing activity
Tuesday, 11 January 2000

Streaky Bay commercial fisherman Mr Jeffrey Schmucker pleaded guilty to interfering with a lawful fishing activity and failing to cease that interference in the Pt Lincoln Magistrates Court before Ms Sanders SM on 11 January 2000.

The incident occurred at French's Landing near Streaky Bay in May 1999 when Mr Schmucker towed another commercial fishing vessel off a school of fish and cut tow anchor ropes.

Mr Schmucker, who was under licence suspension at the time of the offence, was convicted and fined $1000 and had his marine scale fishing licence suspended for a further six weeks commencing 1 May 2000.

In relation to the same offence Mr Schmucker was charged with two counts of assault by police and convicted and fined $200 to be of good behaviour for a period of two years.

In a separate matter, Pt Lincoln commercial fisherman Mr Darijo Lukin and Ms Zorica Lukin pleaded guilty to fishing offences in the Pt Lincoln Magistrates Court before Ms Sanders SM on 11 January 2000.

The offences included the possession and control of more than 22 tonnes of mackeral taken illegally and to using the vessel "Scarlet Rose" whilst not endorsed as the master of the vessel.

Mr Lukin was convicted and fined $3500 and Ms Lukin was convicted and fined $1900 with a further additional penalty of $30 000. More than 22 tonnes of mackeral valued at more than $11,000 was also forfeited.

In a third matter, on Sunday 9 January 2000 Fisheries Compliance Officers board Fisheries Patrol Vessel Tucana intercepted and detained a Commonwealth shark fishing vessel with more than 4,000 metres of net in State waters off Venus Bay. The vessel was escorted into Venus Bay where officers seized a quantity of shark and the fishing net. The vessel is only licensed to operate in Commonwealth waters which are those waters more than 3 miles from the coast or established base lines. Investigations are continuing.