For the second time in less than six months, jail sentences have been imposed as a penalty for illegal abalone fishing in South Australia.

Recently in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court, Christopher Stephen Phillips (30) unemployed of Mount Gambier was convicted and sentenced to 20 months jail, with a non-parole period of 12 months. He was fined an additional penalty of $12,000.

Jason John Douglas (33) unemployed of Mount Gambier was convicted and sentenced to 12 months jail with a non-parole period of seven months. He was fined an additional penalty of $9,000.

Adam Troy Pettingill (30) timber stacker of Whyalla was given a four-month jail sentence, which was suspended upon him entering into a two-year good behavior bond. He was fined an additional penalty of $6,000.

Peter Symon Phillips (27) unemployed of Allendale East was convicted and sentenced to two months jail, which was suspended upon him entering into a two-year good behavior bond. He was fined an additional penalty of $3,000.

Kym Stephen Phillips (51) a security officer of Allendale East was convicted and placed on a two-year good behavior bond and fined an additional penalty of $2,000.

The successful prosecutions were the result of a major joint abalone operation involving PIRSA Fisheries and SAPOL Officers in January 2006.

As part of the operation, Fisheries Officers seized around 2,700 abalone, 70 to 80 percent of which were undersize, weighing in excess of 250 kilograms and valued at more than $28,000. One vehicle and a quantity of diving equipment, valued at approximately $15,000 and an amount of cash in excessive of $3,200 was also seized.

These two custodial sentences follow the jailing of Nicholas Karagiannis (56) of Coorabie, west of Ceduna in February of this year.

Fisheries Officers have reminded recreational fishers of the size and bag limits that apply to yellowtail kingfish caught in South Australia. This follows reports of large numbers of undersize kingfish in the upper Spencer Gulf area.

Many of the fish are believed to be around 30 to 35 centimetres in length. Undersize kingfish have been recorded at Point Lowly, Whyalla, Arno Bay, the Illusion Wreck (middle of Spencer Gulf) and Wallaroo.

Fishers are reminded that the minimum legal size limit for yellowtail kingfish caught in Spencer Gulf is 45 centimetres. Any fish that measures less than 45 centimetres must be returned to the water immediately.

Any fishers retaining undersize fish have committed an offence and Fisheries Officers will act accordingly.

There is a current exemption in place that applies to the waters of Spencer Gulf only, allowing fishers to catch yellowtail kingfish which are between 45cm and 60cm. A daily bag limit per person of 10 and a maximum boat limit of 30 applies for three or more persons. In all waters of the State, where the fish measures greater than 60cm, the daily bag limit is two and the boat limit is six.

Fisheries Officers will be increasing patrols at the reported locations to enforce the split size and bag limits in Spencer Gulf.

Cockles are ideal bait for bottom feeding fish such as whiting. But fresh or live cockles will feel leathery when taken from the shell. To make them softer and more attractive to the fish, freeze the cockles overnight before you go fishing.

The Seafood 1800 Hotline, set up in 2005 to allow seafood consumers to report incidents of retailers mislabelling seafood, is being further strengthened with the launch of new promotional material and the addition of an online service.

South Australians are eating more and more seafood each year and it is important that fish available for purchase is accurately labelled with both its origin and its species.

Consistency of labelling prevents cheaper species of fish being passed off as more expensive species and the Country of Origin labelling requirements, which came into effect in June 2006, mean that consumers get to know exactly where the seafood in retail outlets was produced, and makes it easier to buy Australian and support local fishermen.

Since 2005, the 1800 Hotline has received more than 300 calls and has raised awareness of consumers and retailers of the importance of accurate labelling.

The Seafood Consumer Hotline is 1800 737 147 or online at the Seafood Hotline web site.

Franklin Harbour near Cowell on Spencer Gulf has been reopened by Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) for the sale and taking of all bivalve mollusc species, including oysters.

This follows two clear tests for pinnatoxins in oysters.

The closure was first enforced on March 14 following detection of pinnatoxins by PIRSA’s South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (SASQAP).

While there is no recorded evidence of pinnatoxins causing illness in humans, a precautionary approach was adopted, closing Franklin Harbour to the taking of all bivalve molluscs, while further testing was undertaken.

Temporary closures of shellfish growing areas are implemented from time to time, for example after heavy rains, as part of the Shellfish Quality Assurance Program.

The South Australian Fisheries Resources, Current Status and Recent Trends is the first status report to be prepared for South Australias Fisheries.

It brings together all of the available economic, biological and management information for South Australias key fish stocks. This report summarises information current for the 2004/05 financial year.

South Australias fisheries resources are managed by the Government of South Australia on behalf of all South Australians. This document provides key stakeholders and the wider community with a factual information source on the management and status of these valuable resources.

The report will be updated regularly and will provide for a more informed public debate and decision making relating to our fisheries.

To view the report go to the PIRSA Fisheries web site.

Reports from Fishcare Volunteers suggest some less experienced fishers are having trouble telling the difference between yellow fin whiting (Sillago schomburgkii) and silver whiting (Sillago bassensis).

The two are closely related but can generally be distinguished apart by the colour of the body and fins.

The body of the yellowfin whiting is a sandy yellow colouring with the pectoral, dorsal and anal fins a light yellow colour.

The body of the silver whiting or school whiting is a light olive colour on top and white below separated by a longitudinal silvery stripe.

Yellowfin whiting has a minimum size limit of 24cm and a daily bag limit of 20 and a boat limit of 60. Silver whiting has no size or catch limits but fishers are encouraged to take only what they need.

The rock lobster fishing season in South Australia ends at 6pm on Thursday 31 May.

Fishers are reminded that all lobster pots must be removed from the water prior to the closure coming into effect.