Millicent man fined $36,000 for first offence
Thursday 25 October, 2007

A Millicent man was fined more than $36,000 in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last Friday (19 October 2007) for a range of fisheries related offences.

Mr Rong Zeng (40), chef, of Millicent, in the state’s south-east, pleaded guilty and was convicted of three offences under the Fisheries Act 1982. These included possession of 256 abalone, which were taken for sale (185 which were undersize) and possession of a number of rock lobster also taken in contravention of the Act.

As a result, Mr Zeng was fined $20,000 plus an additional penalty of $14,831.35 and Court costs of $1,200. A total of $36,031.35.

PIRSA Fisheries Manager Compliance Services, Mr Paul Tatarelli said the severity of the fine, for a first offence, underscored the seriousness of this type of offence.

"A licensing system is in place in South Australia which underpins the long-term sustainable commercial harvest of South Australia’s valuable marine resource.

"Successful prosecutions like this one send a message to all participants that they need to act within that system or face the consequences.

"That applies to all participants in the chain of seafood production from sea to plate," he added.

Media Contact: Gary Darter, Acting Manager Compliance Operations, PIRSA Fisheries, Ph: 0408 805 477.