Fine for abusing Fisheries Officer
Thursday 20 October, 2005

A Strathalbyn man has been found guilty of using threatening language to a fisheries officer.

Craig Matthew Zbierski (27) a vineyard hand pleaded guilty to the charge in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court and as a result was fined $743.

The charge resulted from an incident, which occurred on 4 December 2004 at Southend in the State’s South-East when fisheries officers attempted to check the catch of Mr Zbierski and a number of other recreational fishers.

PIRSA Fisheries, Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Tatarelli said the charges were laid in an effort to send a clear message to the fishing community that using threatening and abusive language to fisheries officers in the course of their duties is not acceptable.

"Fisheries officers should be able to go about their lawful duties without these types of threats or abuse," he said.

In handing down the penalty, Magistrate Clark acknowledged the difficult role of fisheries officers carrying out their duties.