Fisheries and Marine Officers are targeting people interfering with the lobster pots of others, following the mass migration of rock lobsters commencing along Western Australia’s west coast.
A 51-year-old man from Sinagra had his aluminium vessel seized at Ocean Reef marina on 2 December. While the confiscation unfolded, four other men were also being dealt with at nearby Joondalup court for serious offences from last season.
The four men received a combined total of $18,652 for a range of offences in December last year, including interference with other fishers’ lobster pots, following a targeted surveillance operation in the Hillarys area.
“Last Friday’s court case shows our officers will detect and apprehend fish thieves,” said Todd A’Vard, North Metropolitan compliance manager.
He added: “Hiding rock lobster on your vessel, mutilating breeding condition lobsters and pulling other people’s fishing gear will all get you a day in court – and the consequences will likely be costly.”
“Our Fisheries officers are seeing large numbers of fishers do the right thing – a pleasing result from the comprehensive covert surveillance and inspections we are carrying out this season.”
The latest of four vessel seizures this season under Operation Bagana and Friday’s court outcomes re-enforces to the community that Fisheries officers take allegations of interference seriously and will continue to investigate and take action.
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities is urged not to get involved, but to carefully observe what they see and call FishWatch on 1800 815 507.
Mr A’Vard concluded: “Now the whites have started, we expect more fishers on the water and it will be busy out there, so weight your pots correctly, keep your ropes to the right length to avoid tangles and surface chop-offs and don’t touch anyone else’s gear – and everyone will have a great season.”
