Illegal fishing penalty should be deterrent to others
Friday 30 March, 2007

Fisheries Officers say the penalty handed down on Tuesday, March 27 to a Whyalla man for selling fish illegally should serve as a warning to fishers to follow the law.

Stephen Mark Cook was convicted and fined $38,000 for fishing for the purpose of trade or business without holding a commercial fishing licence and for 39 counts of selling fish not taken pursuant to a licence. Mr Cook is a commercial fisher who without renewing his licence continued to fish and sell his catch despite warnings from PIRSA Fisheries Licensing that he was unlicensed. His fishing vessel and his fishing gear were ordered forfeited to the Crown.

PIRSA Manager Compliance Services, Paul Tatarelli said that Mr Cook had been fishing unlicensed for quite a period of time and had sold significant quantities of fish.

"The investigation by Fisheries Officers found that Cook sold $14,747.35 worth of fish from July 1, 2005 to May 8, 2006 without holding a fishing licence."

"Fisheries Officers conducted a thorough investigation into this matter and we hope the outcome serves as a warning to others whether they be commercial or recreational fishers. Fish cannot be sold unless they are taken pursuant to a licence," Mr Tatarelli said.

"Breaches of the Fisheries Act are viewed very seriously and as in this case, we will prosecute."

Mr Tatarelli also urged fish processors to ensure that purchased fish only from licensed fishers.

"Fish processor regulations require that registered fish processors can only buy fish from Licensed Commercial Fishers or other registered fish processors."