Another Fine Issued Over 80 Mile Beach Shark Dumping 1

Media Release
03 February 2010 07/2010

Another fine issued over 80 Mile Beach shark dumping

The dumping of shark carcasses on 80 Mile Beach, almost two years ago, has resulted in another
commercial fisher being fined, over breaches of the fishing exemption he formerly operated
under.

62-year-old Milton John COMINO was found guilty and fined a total of $4,500 in the Broome
Magistrates Court yesterday.

It follows fines of almost $1,800 issued against Kimley Ross WANN in Broome Court in April
last year, after investigations into the discovery of shark remains on 80 Mile Beach.

In April 2008, Fisheries and Marine Officers from the Department of Fisheries Northern Region
office inspected two separate fishing camps around 250 kilometres from Broome.

The then Fisheries Minister John Ford took immediate steps to cancel the exemptions that
allowed two commercial fishers to net fish along 80 Mile Beach.

Yesterday, in Broome Court, Mr Comino was fined $2,200 on a charge of failing to bury or
cover bycatch and $800 on a further charge of failing to nominate persons fishing for him.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of $1,500.

Department of Fisheries Northern Region Manager Peter Godfrey said commercial fishers
needed to be aware of and adhere to conditions on their licences or exemptions.

"Conditions are imposed for sound sustainability, environmental and operational reasons," Mr
Godfrey said

"A condition of the exemption issued to Mr Comino under the Fish Resources Management Act
stated that no discarded fish, parts of fish or fish offal was to be left on the beach, or left
unburied or exposed, as a result of set netting activities.

"Fisheries and Marine Officers estimated there were around 300 carcasses found at the dump site
at Mr Comino's camp on 80 Mile Beach.

"Not only did both commercial fishers (Mr Comino and Mr Wann) lose their exemptions over
their unacceptable actions, but both matters have also led to each of the men being fined for
breaching conditions that applied to their former fishing operations."

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ashley Malone Ph: 9203 0357
Media Liaison Officer Mobile: 0418 901 767

** Please note: Two photos of the sharks dumped near the Comino camp have been attached with this
release, should you need them for publication. They should be credited to "Department of Fisheries WA".

Report all suspected illegal fishing activity to FISHWATCH 1800 815 507