FishFacts Issue 8, March 2007

 


Issue 8, March 2007
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www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing


Fisheries Management Act passed by Parliament
A new fisheries management structure and tougher penalties for fishing offences in South Australia will result from wide ranging new legislation passed by state parliament recently.

Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister, Rory McEwen says the new Fisheries Management Act 2007 will adopt contemporary management practices and promote ecologically sustainable development within the state’s fisheries.

The new Act replaces the 24 year old Fisheries Act 1982.

“The legislation makes it clear that marine resources are owned by the state and managed on behalf of the community as a common property resource.

“Offences and penalties have been increased to reflect the increasing value of our fish resources and to assist in tackling organised crime,” Mr McEwen said.

Offences under the new Act have a maximum penalty of $120,000, up from $60,000, and up to four years imprisonment.

The Act also provides for a new system of demerit points for anyone found guilty of consistent offences under the legislation. If an individual or a company reaches 200 points over a five year period, they could be disqualified from holding any fishing authority for 10 years.

It is expected that the Fisheries Management Act 2007 will come into effect from 1 September 2007.

Possession limits
One aspect of the new Fisheries Act is the provision for the introduction of possession limits.

Executive Director of Fisheries Will Zacharin has moved to reassure fishers that possession limits will only be introduced in situations where the limits are beneficial to management, resource sharing and to reduce complexity for anglers. Bag and boats limits for some species where possession limits are introduced may be removed.

“Fishers can rest assured that there will be full public consultation on any proposed possession limits and regional meetings held to discuss any perceived problems.

“Once the proposed possession limits are determined by the Minister, the limits will be introduced through regulation. Parliament will then have to pass the regulations for the possession limits to come into affect,” Mr Zacharin said.

There are no immediate plans to introduce possession limits in South Australia.

Fisheries Council members sought
The State Government is seeking nominations for a new Fisheries Council to help drive fisheries management in SA. The new Fisheries Council is an initiative to come out of the new Fisheries Management Act 2007.

Membership of the council will also include industry experts appointed by the Governor. For more information go to the new legislation web page on the PIRSA Fisheries site. Click here to visit the web site.

Did you know?
When flounder are born, they have one eye on each side of the body like any normal fish.

As they develop, one eye will migrate to the other side of the body resulting in both eyes being on the same side of the body. This enables the fish to utilise its flat shape to partially bury itself in the sand where it waits to pounce on any prey.
Record jail term for abalone thief
A man has been sentenced to a record jail term for a South Australian abalone related fishing offence.

Nicholas Karagiannis (56) of Coorabie, west of Ceduna, was given an 18 months jail sentence with a non-parole period of 12 months. He was also fined an additional penalty of $30,000, the maximum allowable under current Fisheries legislation.

Mr Karagiannis had previously pleaded guilty to a number of charges including the possession of a commercial quantity of abalone and taking abalone for the purposes of sale whilst not the holder of a licence in respect of that fishery.

This is the third time Mr Karagiannis has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for abalone related offences. In 1995 he was convicted and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with a non parole period of 3 months. He was again convicted in 1998 and sentenced to 14 months imprisonment with a non parole period of 10 months.

A second man, Robert Hedley Miller (19) from Croydon had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a commercial quantity of abalone taken for the purposes of sale in relation to this incident was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond.

Nominations sought for Seafood Awards
The South Australian Womens Industry Network (SAWIN) has launched its hunt for the best in South Australian seafood with the announcement of nominations for this year’s South Australian Seafood Awards.

Nominations are being sought for a range of categories including the Seafood Industry Promotion Award, Training Award, and the coveted award for South Australias best fish and chip shop.

SAWIN President, Karen Holder, said the award presentations were the States premier event for promoting and celebrating the excellence of the South Australian seafood industry.

Also on offer is the title of South Australias finest seafood restaurant.

"The winner of this award must showcase South Australian fish and seafood and the restaurant must present a menu containing at least 50 per cent SA seafood," Karen said.

The awards will be presented at a gala, black tie diner to be held at the Cruising Yacht Club, North Haven on Friday 3 August. Nominations for the awards close on 31 May.

For more information about nominations or tickets for the event, contact Claire van der Geest, telephone 0438 499 921 or e-mail safic@safic.com.au

Shark attack data released
Sharks killed only four people, including an Australian woman, world-wide last year, according to the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida. A further 58 people were attacked by sharks during the 12 month period.

As a result, the total number of shark attacks worldwide increased to 62 in 2006, from 61 the previous year, but the number of those proving deadly was unchanged.

That was far below the 79 attacks, 11 of them fatal, in 2000.

The United States had more shark attacks than any other nation, with 38 last year. That was down from 40 the previous year and well below the 53 recorded in 2000.

Australia was second with seven attacks, including the fatal attack at Amity Point, on Queenslands North Stradbroke Island, on January 7, 2006.

Despite the attention shark attacks receive, the data shows they are a rare occurence.

Big fines for reef pickers
Two women have been fined over $8,700 each following a recent court case.

My Tran, 26, and Ngoc Bao Tran, 22, both of Paralowie, were found guilty of a number of offences related to the harvest of abalone from the intertidal reef area within the Troubridge Hill Aquatic Reserve near Edithburgh on southern Yorke Peninsula.

Fisheries Officers charged the two following a tip-off from the public to the Fishwatch telephone hotline.

Officers seized a total of 525 abalone (all undersize) and a quantity of other shellfish.

In South Australia, it is illegal to remove any bottom dwelling organisms from any intertidal reef from high water mark out to a water depth of two metres.


PIRSA Fisheries produces Fishfacts as an information service to commercial and recreational fishers. Information about regulations and other laws is provided as a summary only and does not replace the legislation. It is the responsibility of fishers to ensure that they are aware of the law and comply with it.
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