KI commercial fisher fined
Wednesday, 29th May 2002

A commercial marine scalefish fisher from Kingscote and his self employed son from Sturt in metropolitan Adelaide were found guilty and fined yesterday in the Kingscote Magistrates Court.

Howard John Forster and John Anthony Forster pleaded guilty to a number of offences under the Fisheries Act including failing to comply with a lawful direction and hindering Fisheries Officers while undertaking their duties.

As a result of information provided by the local community, an unmarked boat patrol was conducted by Fisheries Officers at Smith Bay on the north coast of Kangaroo Island. During the patrol, the officers came across the pair fishing for rock lobster from Howard Forster’s commercial marine scalefish vessel.

When asked by the officers to stop, Howard Forster who was driving the vessel, took evasive action in an attempt to avoid being apprehended. During this time, John Forster was seen to throw eight rock lobsters overboard.

General Manager Fisheries Services, Mark Lewis said this problem could have been avoided by the commercial fisher ringing the 24 hour Fishwatch telephone service and de-registering his commercial vessel.

"It is important that commercial fishers clearly distinguish between their commercial and recreational pursuits," Mr Lewis said.

"To make matters worse, in this case, Mr Howard Forster continued to avoid Fisheries Officers in an attempt to hide his illegal activity".

Howard Forster was fined a total of $4,264 and Anthony Forster $556.