String Of Significant South Coast Abalone Apprehensions 1

Media Release
23 December 2009 61/2009

String of significant South Coast abalone apprehensions
Four men are facing significant charges and potentially large fines for alleged abalone
offences, detected this month (December) along Western Australia's South Coast.
Fisheries and Marine Officers apprehended two men at Esperance and another near Denmark,
with large numbers of abalone in excess of the possession limit and a fourth was found with a
haul of undersize abalone not far from Walpole.
On Saturday 12 December, the two men intercepted at Esperance were allegedly found to be
in joint possession of 121 Roe's abalone more than the daily limit of 20 each, plus 107 more
Greenlip abalone than the rules allow.
If found guilty the general fine for each man could be as high as $5,000, however, they would
also have to pay an additional mandatory penalty, for the abalone involved in the offence, that
could be as high as $30,380 each.
Near Denmark, last Saturday (19 December) Fisheries and Marine Officers came across a
man who allegedly had 330 Roe's abalone, which had been shucked. He also did not have a
recreational abalone fishing licence.
The man is to face charges that could attract a fine of up to $5,000 for having 310 abalone
more than he should have and up to $2,000 for not having a licence. The number of abalone
involved, in the alleged offence, could see him forced to pay an additional mandatory penalty
of up to $9,300.
On Sunday last (20 December) at Boat Harbour west near Walpole another man was also
apprehended. When he faces court, it will be alleged he had 32 undersize Roe's abalone, six
undersize Greenlip abalone as well as an undersize southern rock lobster.
Not only does he now face a possible fine up to $5,000 for the alleged offences, the man
would also have to pay an additional mandatory penalty of up to $2,610, if found guilty.
Department of Fisheries' Compliance Manager for the region Steve Embling said these were
significant offences and Fisheries and Marine Officers were continually checking on abalone
fishers during the Southern Zone season.
"We have an important role in monitoring the State's abalone resources on behalf of the
community, to ensure the fishery is managed sustainably," he said.
WA's South Coast is in the Southern Zone abalone fishery that extends from Busselton Jetty to
the South Australian Border. The Southern Zone recreational fishing season runs from 1 October
to 15 May each year. More details about abalone fishing are available at www.fish.wa.gov.au.
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