Hefty fines for exceeding snapper limits
Friday 26 September, 2008

Three recreational fishers have been fined in the Christie Beach Magistrates Court recently for taking over the bag limit of snapper.

Fisheries Officers inspected the three fishers’ catch at the Wallaroo boat ramp back on 1 December 2007.

The men admitted to Fisheries Officers to catching their daily boat limit of large snapper (6 snapper over 60cms) and showed officers the fish. They stated they had no other fish onboard, however a search of the vessel uncovered another 4 large snapper over 60cms wrapped in towels and hidden underneath bunk beds in the front of the vessel.

Fisheries Officers seized all of the fish as well as three rod/reel combos and a large esky.

The three men Michael Ronald Davey (28) of Hackham West, Jason Scott Geisberger (34) of Christie Beach and Christopher David Burford (30) of Tranmere each had a conviction recorded against them and were fined more than $2,200 each. The forfeiture of the fish and other items seized, worth several thousand dollars, was confirmed by the Court.

PIRSA Fisheries Manager Compliance Services, Mr Paul Tatarelli said the penalty handed down by the Court should act as a general deterrent for any other fishers looking to blatantly avoid the rules.

Any attempts to conceal fish in vessels invariably get detected as Fisheries Officers have powers under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 to search vessels and regularly do so.

"The penalties imposed under the new Act are indicative of how seriously this type of offending is viewed by the Courts," Mr Tatarelli said.

"This will likely be the most expensive fish these men have ever caught and never got to eat."

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