Commercial fisher guilty of great white shark offence
Monday, 15 November 2004

A commercial marine scalefish fisher has been found guilty of various offences related to the killing of a great white shark. Great white sharks are fully protected in all Australian waters.

The man, Mr Konstantinos Andrellos, 32, of Goodwood pleaded guilty to being in possession of a set of jaws of one shark and of killing a second shark, in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last Thursday.

Mr Andrellos was fined a total of $2,300. The Court also confirmed forfeiture of the jaws.

PIRSA Fishwatch, Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Tatarelli said it was timely to remind all fishers that the great white shark has been fully protected in South Australian waters since 1997.

"As a result, it is an offence for anyone to kill these sharks," he said.

"Fishers and other members of the community should also be aware that it is an offence to be in possession of the jaws or teeth taken from a great white shark killed after they became fully protected.

"Great white sharks in Commonwealth waters are protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in Commonwealth waters and this act carries a maximum fine of $110,000 and/or two years imprisonment for killing a great white shark."

Mr Tatarelli also reminded all water users about the State Government’s Shark Response Plan.

"The Plan has been put in place to provide an appropriate response to any shark sightings. It also enables researchers to learn more about sharks and their movements in South Australian waters," he said.

"Any shark sightings, particularly those that pose a threat to human life should be reported to the 24 hours Fishwatch telephone number, 1800 065 522."