PIRSA Fisheries says a jail sentence handed down to a man in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court last week sets a strong deterrent to would-be fishing offenders.

Percy Plunkett, of Mount Gambier was sentenced to six months jail, with a non-parole period of three months for significant rocklobster offences.

Mr Plunkett was found guilty and convicted of trafficking a priority species and possession of undersized rocklobster.

Limestone Coast Regional Manager with PIRSA Fisheries, Mel Snart said the jail sentence handed down suitably reflects the severity of the offences.

“Mr Plunkett was found in possession of 81 rocklobster of which 17 were also undersized. This is an obvious commercial quantity,” she said.

“This sentence creates an appropriate deterrent for those individuals who seek to profit illegally from our fish stocks without holding an appropriate authority to do so.

“These sort of offences put the sustainability of the rocklobster industry at risk, and in turn jeopardises the future of the local communities that rely on it.”

Ms Snart explained that the case stems from an operation with SA Police which uncovered the rock lobster haul back in December 2007.

“Police officers detected a large quantity of rocklobster at Mr Plunkett’s Mount Gambier residence, and a cooperative investigation with PIRSA Fisheries led to charges being laid for the trafficking of a priority species under the Fisheries Management Act 2007,” she said.

“Officers confiscated the 81 rocklobster as well as four rocklobster pots and a chest freezer.”

In addition to the jail sentence, Mr Plunkett is also prohibited from engaging in any form of rocklobster fishing or possession of rocklobster pots for the next five years.

With floodwaters flowing from Cooper Creek all the way to Lake Eyre for the first time in 20 years, PIRSA Fisheries has stepped up its compliance presence in the area.

South Australia has developed a quad-state compliance partnership with Fisheries authorities in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales in an effort to adequately patrol the region.

Fisheries Minister Michael O’Brien said that there was an amazing amount of fish and bird life in the region and it was important to remind fisherman that while the area is isolated, there still is a strong Fisheries presence.

“The floodwaters are bringing with them fish like Lake Eyre Golden Perch, Cooper Creek Catfish, grunters and yabbies,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It’s quite a rare an unique ecosystem in this area of Australia and that’s why its so important we protect the local fish stocks from those looking to exploit the rules.

“Having this quad-state partnership with Queensland, Victoria and News South Wales means that we can ensure all areas of the Lake Eyre Basin are being patrolled and the ecosystem as a whole is protected.

“It also means that potential fishing offenders have even greater chance of being caught.”

Mr O’Brien explained that Innaminka-based Senior Ranger with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Darren Wilson, has also been given Fisheries Officer authority, meaning the region will continue to have a permanent compliance presence in the region.

“People need to realise that just because it’s an isolated area, it doesn’t mean we don’t travel up there, so don’t be tempted to fish illegally because at some stage or another you will get caught,” he said.

A new CSIRO study has found that climate change is driving a widespread number of fish south as the oceans warm.

The study found around 30 per cent of Australia's inshore coastal fish families have been found outside their usual area.

CSIRO has identified south-eastern Australia as a climate change hotspot, with well documented changes already occurring over the last 70 years.

CSIRO spokesman Dr Peter Last says a snapshot of the distribution of coastal fish has located 43 types of fish outside their normal range.

Those species on the move include rock flathead, tiger sharks and Queensland gropers.

"We had a coral trout, for example, which is a common commercial fish from Queensland, as far south as Port Arthur," Dr Last said.

It’s the fishing comp for a cause and it’s happening again this November

OnkaStompaCompa 6, to be held on November 14th, is a community fishing event which raises money for childhood cancer.

To be held at Perries Bend on the Onkaparinga River, the OnkaCtompaCompa is now in its sixth year and this year’s competition promises to be the best yet.

Prizes are on offer for the biggest Bream, biggest Mulloway and biggest Other Fish, with prizes divided into Men’s, Women’s and Juniors categories. Random prize draws will also be held during the day.

All money raised during the event will go straight to the Childhood Cancer Association.

The competition runs from 7am to 12pm and barbeque and drinks will be available with all proceeds again going to the Childhood Cancer Association.

You shouldn’t need much encouragement to go fishing, but what better excuse is there then to help raise money for this worthy cause.

For more details about the competition go to: www.strikehook.com

PIRSA Fisheries wishes to notify the recreational fishing community that new arrangements have taken affect for the issuing of recreational permits in some areas of the state.

PIRSA’s Kingscote, Kingston SE, Kadina, Struan and Murray Bridge offices will no longer issue applications, forms or tags, however new registrations and renewals can still be processed directly by contacting Fisheries Licensing in Adelaide on 8204 1370. These services will still be available at our offices in Adelaide (Grenfell Street), Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier.

Application forms for new registrations can be downloaded from the PIRSA Fisheries website and sent to the Adelaide office for processing.

Registration renewals can be processed online or payments made through Australia Post.

Recreational rock lobster licence forms

Application forms can be mailed or faxed to the Adelaide office at:
PIRSA Fisheries
PO Box 1625
Adelaide SA 5001
Fax: 8204 1388
Phone: 8204 1370

A Limestone Coast Commercial Rocklobster fisherman was found guilty of multiple fisheries offences in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court recently.
 
Mark Feast of Blackfellows Caves was found guilty and convicted on four charges including:

• Using incorrectly marked Rocklobster pots
• Using abusive and threatening language towards Fisheries Officers
• Hindering Fisheries Officers during their investigations, and
• Operating a vessel without due care.

Mr Feast was convicted on all counts and fined a total of $7,500 with an additional order to pay Crown costs of $4,250. He is also prohibited from fishing for Rocklobster for a period of four months.

Limestone Coast Regional Manager with PIRSA Fisheries, Mel Snart said that the case stems from a routine vessel patrol conducted by PIRSA Fisheries Officers at Blackfellows Caves in December 2007.

“Upon their patrol, Fisheries Officers located a number of Rocklobster pots with incorrect licence details which belonged to Mr Feast,” she said.

“Mr Feast then used abusive language towards the officers and a short time later, returned to the area and drove his boat in a dangerous fashion in the direct path of the Fisheries patrol vessel.

“This sort of behaviour is unacceptable. Fishers need to be reminded that our officers are there to do a job and don’t deserve to be abused or threatened for simply carrying out their job.

In handing down the decision, the Magistrate said that Fisheries Officers have the responsibility of administering the Fisheries Management Act and in order to do so, licence holders like Mr Feast are expected to comply with the requirements of the Act.