Commercial fisher fined for great white shark capture
Friday 18 October, 2002

A Port Lincoln commercial fisher has pleaded guilty in the Holden Hill Magistrates Court to the illegal capture of a great white shark.

Murray Rex Hall (41) of Port Lincoln was fined $1,000 for the illegal capture of the shark, which is a protected species through out Australia.

It’s alleged the shark was caught near Flinders Island on the State’s far west coast using a specially designed large hook and line. In his defence, Mr Hall alleged that it was his deckhand who was responsible for catching the shark and that when the shark was hauled on board the vessel it was dead. The carcass was then allegedly returned to the water with the jaws intact.

In handing down his judgement, Mr Grasso SM said he accepted Mr Hall’s version of the facts and that his involvement was at the lower end of the scale for this type of offence. Mr Grasso declined to order a conviction however he did impose a fine to underline the seriousness of the offence.

Outside the Court, Primary Industries and Resources SA, General Manager Fisheries Services, Mark Lewis said he was disturbed by the apparent increase in the number of incidents involving great white sharks.

“It needs to be understood that this shark is a protected species and its capture or interference is an offence under the law.

“There seems to be a small group of people who think white sharks are still fair game. That is not the case.

“We will continue to investigate any reports of people targeting white sharks and where appropriate, we will prosecute,” Mr Lewis said.

Investigations into this matter are continuing and the other person allegedly involved in this matter is due to appear in Court at a later stage.