Commercial Fisher Fined for Quota Evasion
Wednesday, 30th January 2002

A 49 year old commercial rock lobster fisher from Kingston, in the State's south-east, has been fined almost $12,000 for various fisheries offences including quota evasion.

Kevin Grant Mules of Kingston pleaded guilty in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court, on 24 January 2002, to six counts of failing to comply with the conditions of his rock lobster licence.

Mules was reported in February 2001 for placing rock lobster caught from his registered commercial vessel into recreational rock lobster pots to avoid deducting the catch from his annual catch quota.

Southern zone rock lobster fishers must declare all of their commercial catch which is off-set against a total annual catch quota.

PIRSA Fisheries Compliance Officers uncovered the illegal activity in response to a call to the 24 hour Fishwatch telephone service.

Acting General Manager Fisheries Services, Trent Rusby said the policing of the rock lobster quota is a vital part of managing this valuable fishery.

"The annual quota is determined using the best available research and is put in place to ensure the sustainable use of the resource. Any attempt by commercial fishers to avoid quota will not be tolerated. Quota evasion is cheating and has the potential to impact on the long-term health of the rock lobster fishery," Mr Rusby said.

The Fishwatch telephone number is 1800 065 522 and is available 24 hours a day for the reporting of suspected illegal fishing activity.