Commercial Abalone Diver Reported
Tuesday, 21 January 2003

A 36 year old western zone, commercial abalone diver from Port Lincoln has been reported for various fisheries related offences.

Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) Fisheries Officers on a uniformed patrol near Elliston, on the State’s far west coast, stopped the diver to undertake a routine inspection.

When checked, it was found that the diver had failed to prior report for that days fishing activity and had also failed to complete the appropriate paperwork. It was also found that a number of the abalone were undersize.

Regional Manager West, Kym Wakefield said checks and balances have been put in place to ensure commercial divers are accountable.

“The western zone abalone fishery is a quota based fishery. This ensures that a known, sustainable quantity or quota of abalone is caught each season,” he said.

“It is important that divers complete the appropriate paperwork so an audit trail is created.

“This in turn ensures that all catches are accurately recorded against the total quota allocated to that diver,” Mr Wakefield said.