Commercial rock lobster fisher fined
Tuesday 23 August, 2005

A commercial rock lobster fisher from Southend pleaded guilty in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court yesterday to a number of fisheries related offences.

Mr Drew McNicol Pegler (42), a commercial rock lobster fisher from Southend pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with a condition of his licence.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 December 2004 at Southend when Fisheries Officers, conducting a routine catch inspection, located a fish bin containing 14 rock lobster tails (the daily bait tail limit for commercial rock lobster fishers is 5). None of the bait tails were cut and dyed as required and they had not been declared on Mr Pegler's catch and disposal record.

Magistrate Clarke recorded a conviction against Mr Pegler on both counts and fined him a total of $2,320. Mr Clarke also ordered the forfeiture of the 14 rock lobster tails.

Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Tatarelli said the southern zone rock lobster fishery was managed by a quota system.

"I am disappointed that a commercial rock lobster fisherman who has operated under the quota arrangements for many years would behave in such a manner."

"Adherence to quota arrangements is critical to the sustainable management of the fishery and any attempts to avoid declaring quota will be vigorously pursued by PIRSA Fisheries."