Victorian man guilty of abalone offences
Wednesday, 8 September 2004

A Victorian man was found guilty of a number of fishing related offences as well as using threatening language to a Fisheries Officer, in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court yesterday.

The man, Neil Frederick Reed Thompson, (39), a shearer from Woolsthorpe, Victoria was found guilty of being in possession of undersize abalone and undersize rock lobster.

He was also found guilty of using threatening language towards the Fisheries Officers in the course of his duties when his vehicle was searched at Cape Banks near Carpenters Rocks in January 2003.

Mr Thompson was convicted and fined a total of $3054.80 plus court fees and costs.

In handing down his judgement, the Magistrate, Mr Eardley SM said Fisheries Officers like Police Officers are only performing their duties in the course of which they should not be threatened.

“Threatening a Fisheries Officer is a very serious offence and he (Thompson) could have been facing more serious charges under other legislation”, he said.

In relation to the fishing offences and after Thompson had stated that he did not know the rules, Mr Eardley said it is your (Thompson’s) responsibility to know the law when you go out fishing.

PIRSA Fishwatch Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Tatarelli said Fisheries officers play an important role in ensuring the sustainability of South Australia’s fisheries resources.

“Like all other workforce employees, they should be afforded the courtesy to perform their duties without being subject to intimidation or verbal or physical abuse,” Mr Tatarelli said.