Wednesday 8 September, 2010

Two Victorian men have been fined more than $33,000 combined after pleading guilty to a number of serious fishing offences in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court this week.

Colin Trevor O’Connor and Maxwell Charles Gregg, both from Mildura in Victoria’s northwest pleaded guilty and were convicted on five charges relating to illegal fishing within South Australia’s Cooper Creek section of the Lake Eyre Basin.

Mr O’Connor was fined a total of $18,598, while Mr Gregg received fines up to $14,898.

Both men have also been banned from being within 100 metres of Lake Eyre or any South Australian waterways leading into Lake Eyre while in possession of native fish, fishing nets or yabbie traps.

Senior Fisheries Officer with PIRSA Fisheries, Dave Grant, said that the case stemmed from a targeted patrol in the Coongie Lake National Park, North West of Innamincka in June 2009.

“We intercepted a vehicle and boat on June 17 last year and the two men were found to be in possession of illegal fishing equipment in a very remote area where commercial fishing is not permitted,” Mr Grant said.

“We seized an extensive amount of equipment including a boat, trailer, outboard motor, nine bags containing 18  gillnets, 63 illegal opera house yabbie nets, 23 wire yabbie traps, a quantity of live yabbies, and Lake Eyre Golden Perch, waders, Garmin GPS and camouflage material.

“This is a significant result, as the severity of the fines handed down accurately reflects the seriousness of the offences.

“With the added bans handed down, it effectively means Mr Gregg and Mr O’Connor won’t be able to undertake any type of fishing within the any water ways with in the South Australian section of the Lake Eyre Basin for a long time.

“These bans are indefinite and can only be overturned by another court order.

“This case sends a strong message to potential fishing offenders who may try to exploit the remoteness of the Cooper Creek and other water ways in the region.

“We do patrol the region regularly and sooner or later you will be caught.

“The court ruling is a timely reminder with floodwaters currently flowing from Cooper Creek all the way to Lake Eyre for the first time in 20 years.

“The floodwaters are bringing with them fish like Lake Eyre Golden Perch, Cooper Creek Catfish, grunters and yabbies.

“South Australia has developed a four-state compliance partnership with Fisheries authorities in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales to ensure we adequately patrol the region and to discuss and swap intelligence and compliance issues.

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

Anyone can report illegal fishing activity through the 24 hour FISHWATCH number on 1800 065 522.  Callers can choose to remain anonymous.