FOUR men have received fines totalling more than $40,000 for their plan to illegally take abalone off reefs at Iluka Beach one Thursday afternoon last year.
Fisheries compliance officers busted two fishers and two men watching over them when they attempted to take abalone out of season in January 24, 2019.
Subsequent investigations revealed one of the men, a 34-year-old from Redcliffe, had also fished out of season about 4.30pm on December 29, 2018.
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READ NOWDepartment of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers caught the four men together in the Iluka Foreshore Park as they were returning to their vehicle.
Joondalup Magistrate’s Court heard on March 6 the officers had inspected a sports bag, which was found to contain eight zip lock bags holding a total of 335 shucked Roe’s abalone.
The sports bag, fishing equipment, mobile phones and the abalone were seized on the day.
The court also heard that all co-accused took part in video records of interview and full admissions were made by all four men in regards to taking, possession, knowledge and control of the abalone.
It’s also an offence to shuck abalone within 200m of the high water mark, unless authorised by a managed fishery licence.
For three offences, the 34-year-old Redcliffe man will have to pay fines, penalties and court costs totalling $12,540.90, while a 20-year-old man from Redcliffe was ordered to pay $11,540.90 for two charges.
A third man (38) from Redcliffe must shell out $8375.90 for joint possession of the abalone, as will a 57-year-old man from Cranbourne East in Victoria.
Metro regional compliance manager Todd A’Vard said the fines provided a significant message to deter others who might fish for abalone out of season.
“All-up, the men have collectively been ordered to pay $40,833.60 and, in addition to that, they’ve all been prohibited by the court from fishing for or being in possession of abalone for two years,” Mr A’Vard said.
“The case also delivers a reminder on not shucking abalone at sea or on land within 200m of the high water mark.
“Within that zone abalone should remain in their shells – in order for DPIRD compliance officers to be able to measure and check they’re not under legal size.”
No recreational abalone fishing is allowed in WA at present, except in the Southern Zone, which runs from the Busselton Jetty to the South Australian border.
Fishing in that zone can continue daily until the zone 3 season ends on May 15.
Visit www.fish.wa.gov.au for more information.