Parmelia man fined for excess squid in remote WA location

A PARMELIA man has been fined after bagging more than his fair share of squid at a fishing spot on a remote part of Western Australia’s Gascoyne coast.

Robert William Rowles appeared in Exmouth Magistrates Court on August 7 where he was fined for taking excess squid offshore from Bruboodjoo Point.

Along with another person, 61-year-old Robert William Rowles was fishing from a small boat when Fisheries officers came and inspected his catch.

He presented a catch bag to Fisheries officers that was attached to the boat, which contained 14 squid.

Further investigations resulted in the officers locating a further 30 squid, concealed between two buckets on the boat.

When fishing with two or more people on a vessel, the boat possession limit for squid is 30.

When an individual catches squid the daily bag limit is 15.

Rowles made full admissions to being the master of the boat and knowingly exceeding the boat possession limit.

He was fined $200 and also received an additional mandatory penalty of $529.10 for the excess squid that were seized.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Gascoyne Midwest Compliance Manager Grameme Meinema said the fine should be a significant deterrent.

“Concealment of fish is a serious matter and Fisheries officers are alert to the potential of it every time they inspect a vessel,” he said.

“Fishers in remote areas should never think they will get away with breaking the rules, they need to know the rules wherever they fish and realise that Fisheries officers are there to ensure those rules are not breached.

“We would ask the local community or visitors to an area to maintain vigilance and report suspicious fishing activity along the WA coast, no matter where it is or how remote.

“Don’t get directly involved, but be observant for details that may help an investigation and phone FishWatch on 1800 815 507 to report any suspected illegal fishing.”