Big Fines Prove Illegal Rock Lobster Sale Did Not Pay 1

Media Release
18 November 2009 53/2009

Big fines prove illegal rock lobster sale did not pay

A former Green Head man was today ordered to pay fines, costs and mandatory penalty,
totalling more than $36,000 ($36,710), when he was sentenced in a Perth court.

39 year-old Garth Adrian DOBNEY pleaded guilty late last month to two offences that
occurred in March this year, when he was under surveillance by Fisheries and Marine Officers
and involved in the illegal sale of more than 200 rock lobsters to another man.

The other man, Vince GANGEMI of Roleystone - then 47 - was given a fine, court costs and
additional penalty of $33,071.50 when he pleaded guilty in May this year to failing to make a
record of the lobsters purchased.

In the Statement of Facts presented to the court, for Mr Dobney's case, it was revealed that he
had driven from Green Head to Bayswater on Sunday 29 March this year where he delivered
nine eskies full of rock lobsters to a hotel where Mr Gangemi was working as the manager.

Mr Gangemi was acting as an individual and the hotel was not charged with any offences.

Department of Fisheries' Manager of Compliance and Regional Support John Looby said the
two convictions had dealt with a significant black market transaction.

"The rock lobsters the offender sold were caught under a recreational licence in the two
months prior to the illegal sale and today's fines will be welcomed by both recreational and
commercial lobster fishers who stick to the rules," Mr Looby said.

"At the end of the day, with what this has cost Mr Dobney, it definitely wasn't worth the deal
of around $1500 he was hoping to get from the purchaser for the illegal sale.

"This prosecution arose from information received from concerned members of the
community. Anyone with information is urged call the FISHWATCH on 1800 815 507."

Mr Looby said today's court outcome was another example of successful compliance
operations by the Department of Fisheries targeting illegal black market activities.

"On Friday 6 November, in a successful conclusion to an operation focussed on black market
abalone, a man was ordered to pay more that $100,000 in fines, court costs and additional
penalties and was ordered by the magistrate to forfeit a vehicle, equipment and cash seized
when he was apprehended," he said.

"Seizure of assets, whether it is vessels or vehicles used to commit fisheries offences, is
something that offenders can expect more of in the future."

MEDIA CONTACT:

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



Report all suspected illegal fishing activity to FISHWATCH 1800 815 507