A magistrate in Carnarvon has this week ordered seven men to each pay more than $1,000 in fines, mandatory penalties and costs after they fished illegally in a restricted area.
The case is a reminder that special rules apply in the 
Point Quobba Fish Habitat Protection Area and especially the restricted area within the FHPA.
The court heard that in September 2016 the offenders (aged between 20 and 58) had jointly taken 46.15 kilograms of clam meat from a reef at Point Quobba.
Recreational or commercial fishing, including the collection of crustaceans and shells, live and dead coral and live rock, is not allowed in the restricted area, except for the collection of rock oysters by hand or catching squid by using a jig without bait.
The court were told the men admitted taking clams, from the reef in the Point Quobba restricted area, and either removing the clam meat from the shells and/or placing it in bags and into ice boxes to take it back to Perth to eat.
The magistrate found there was no deliberate attempt to flout the law and that the group was cooperative, remorseful and none had any prior Fisheries offences.
Anyone who has information on illegal fishing activities is asked to call FishWatch on 1800 815 507.
For more information download our Recreational fishing for abalone guide or see our recreational fishing rules.
More details.