Two men guilty of illegal fish sales
Thursday 8 December 2005

Two men have pleaded guilty in the Holden Hill Magistrates Court on Tuesday to charges relating to the illegal sale of fish.

Roy Clifford Pitt (73) from Ardrossan pleaded guilty to selling 66.92 kg of calamary taken without a commercial fishing licence. Giovanni Richichi (60) from Glynde pleaded guilty to purchasing the same fish from Mr Pitt.

The men were charged as a result of an ongoing operation into illegal recreational fish sales.

As part of this investigation, Fisheries Officers searched three vehicles and three residential properties. Officers seized 180 calamary as well as a fishing vessel, 2 fishing rods, 30 squid jags a large chest freezer, a set of digital scales, several 20 litre buckets and other various fishing gear.

Both defendants were convicted and each were fined $1000, plus an additional penalty of $1673. All items except the vessel were forfeited.

Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Tatarelli said it is illegal for recreational fishers to sell their catch. While, in this case, no money was observed changing hands, Mr Pitt had admitted to exchanging the calamary for goods.

"The Fisheries Act has a broad definition of this activity which includes sale or exchange. It also allows for both the seller and buyer to be charged,." he said.

"This result shows that our Courts clearly recognize that while no money changed hands, there was still a significant personal profit to these offenders at the cost of a State owned resource."

Mr Tatarelli reminded the public to report any unlicensed person selling fish by calling the Fishwatch number (1800 065 522).

He warned that Fisheries Officer would continue to investigate this type of illegal activity.