Expensive feed of fish

[groverwa]

Prosecution over protected fish in Port Hedland

Date: Thursday, 3 September 2009

A 64-year-old South Hedland man has appeared in Port Hedland Court today charged with possession of totally protected fish.

Bilton Nickery was found guilty and fined plus court costs, totalling more than $3800.

The court heard that at on June 6, Mr Nickery was questioned by Fisheries and Marine Officers (FMOs) at the Finucane Boat Ramp in Port Hedland.

It was alleged that he was observed by the officers driving a four-metre recreational vessel within the boat ramp inlet.

A short time later, the FMOs searched Mr Nickery’s vessel and discovered 17 totally protected fish including 12 under size Yellowfin Bream, four under size Estuary Cod and one undersize Javelin fish.

The court heard that Mr Nickery admitted to the charge and said that he had caught the fish for his own personal consumption.

Department of Fisheries Manager of Compliance and Regional Support John Looby said all fishers had a responsibility to make themselves aware of bag and size limits.

“Today’s successful prosecution was an excellent outcome for the Department of Fisheries compliance officers and it serves as example to deter illegal activity and to protect fish stocks for future use of the local community,” he said.

Fishers in remote locations such as Onslow and Port Hedland can expect regular compliance patrols enforcing fisheries regulations.

[mangomick]

With the quality of fishing up that way I wouldn't have thought anyone would need to take undersize fish

[morgs6]

Serves him right.

Why even bother, cleaning them would have been even more effort.

[badfisho]

At the end of the day everyone gets what he deserves

[1lastcast]

Rules are rules he deserves to be fined .
We could use a few fisheries officers with enough balls to prosicute fishers here on the gold coast who take undersize fish .
I have wittnessed fisheries officers here at my local ramp check a boat and find undersized cobia and let them off with a warning and when i confronted the officers after they let them go they told me that the people were new to australia and did not know the rules and therefore got a warning , ( NOT BL@$DY GOOD ENOUGH )
Like i said rules are rules

[sleepygreg]

Yeah....the old 'new to australia..me no speak english' routine. Some of these people are experts at that.....have seen it many times at boat ramps...only to hear them speaking perfectly unaccented english AFTER the authorities have gone.

[DaCrabMan]

Do you reckon we would get away with "me no speaka da mandarin" if over there?

i'm not racist but its true.

Rules are rules for a reason.