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Father and son cop fines for breaching abalone fishing laws at Falcon Bay

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

A FATHER and son duo were fined in Mandurah Magistrates Court this morning for fishing for abalone outside prescribed hours.

Ashley Jones (22) pleaded guilty to fishing outside of prescribed hours and not being the holder of a current licence for offences committed at Falcon Bay in January.

His father Lance Jones (47), a FIFO worker, was found guilty in his absence.

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The prosecutor told the court Fisheries received a call to fish watch after 7.15am.

Witnesses observed two males and a female on the reef and took the car registration number.

They observed the accused fish abalone from the reef platform and put them in a mesh bag.

The trio exited the water with a bag and at 7.40am they were observed leaving.

Fisheries went to Jones junior’s residence and he denied the charges.

They issued him a $200 fine for having no licence and $400 for fishing outside hours, but he elected to have it heard in court.

Counsel for the accused told the court that the father and son had been fishing for a number of years at that spot.

They admitted they were there before 7am, but did not start collecting till 7am.

“But they now accept that the act of fishing includes looking for fish,” he said.

“Ashley is able to get a licence, but thought being with his dad he didn’t need a licence.”

Jones Jr was fined $800, Jones Sr $600, and both were ordered to pay $180 costs.

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