Fine for excess rock lobster catch
Friday 17 February 2006

A man from Mount Gambier has been fined after pleading guilty to a number of rock lobster related offences in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court recently.

Mr Henry Richard Westlake (73) was fined after having, on 19 March 2005, used excess rock lobster pots and pots that were not registered in his name, as well as taking over the bag limit and failing to clip the tail fan as required for all recreationally caught rock lobster.

As a result, he was fined $750 together with an additional penalty of $1,024 plus Court costs of $100. The Court confirmed the forfeiture of the rock lobster pots and a number of rock lobster that were confiscated at the time.

A second man, Mr Ronald Harold Lewis, (73) of Magill was fined $500 and Court costs of $100 for his involvement in the illegal activity.

On the 18 March 2005, Fisheries Officers stopped Mr Westlake at Red Rock Bay, near Carpenter Rock in the State’s South-East as the result of information provided via the Fishwatch telephone number.

An inspection of Mr Westlake’s catch revealed 8 rock lobster (four over the daily bag limit). None had the middle tail fan clipped. As a result he received an on the spot fine of $620 and the 8 rock lobster were confiscated.

On the 19 March, Fisheries Officers again observed Mr Westlake undertaking fishing activities as part of a routine patrol at the same location. He was observed checking a total of 5 pots. An inspection of his catch revealed 4 rock lobster, all with the tail fans cut. A search of his boat uncovered another three rock lobster, without the tail fan clipped, hidden in the front of the vessel.

In handing down his verdict, Mr Clark SM said Mr Westlake had been cavalier in his attitude.

"I need to be mindful that the purpose of the Legislation is to protect a scarce resource that needs to be properly and effectively managed," Mr Clark said.

PIRSA Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Tatarelli said the rules are put in place to enable fishers to catch a fair feed of fish without jeopardising the long-term health of the fish stocks.