Fisheries and Marine Officers are out in force for the new recreational rock lobster fishing season today, using both compliance checks and education to ensure that fishers do the right thing.
A seized vessel, which was forfeited last season after a prosecution and unveiled at Mandurah Boat Show last weekend in its new education role, will be seen at various boat ramps and other locations in coming months to remind people of the potential consequences of breaking the rules.
North Metropolitan Compliance Manager Todd A’Vard said Fisheries officers would be conducting Operation Bagana this season, with a focus on offending in the rock lobster fishery, particularly in relation to interference with other people’s fishing gear.
“The boat and trailer were seized and forfeited to the Department and its owner fined tens of thousands of dollars for a range of recreational fishing offences, including interfering with other fishers’ lobster pots,” Mr A’Vard said.
“We will be displaying this boat at various locations around WA as a reminder to fishers that they risk losing their boat and fishing gear for serious fishing offences.
“We know that the majority of recreational fishers are out there doing the right thing and some have suffered from such illegal activities and when fishers set their lobsters pots, there’s nothing worse than finding, or even suspecting, they have been raided by someone else.”
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities is urged not to get involved, but to carefully observe what they see and give FishWatch a call on 1800 815 507. Providing this information to support Operation Bagana will assist Fisheries officer to target and catch offenders.
Mr A’Vard said for Operation Bagana the Department of Fisheries would also partner with other environmental and law enforcement agencies to help gather intelligence and target offenders.
“We will be using a variety of sophisticated surveillance and other methodologies, night and day on land and sea,” he said. “Even if you can’t see our officers – rest assured we could be watching you.
“The State’s aquatic resources are highly valued in our community and everyone should respect the rights of others when fishing. Interference with another person’s fishing gear or catch, selling recreational fish or other similar offences can result in penalties of up to $400,000, imprisonment for four years and loss of boats, vehicles and equipment.”
More information on rules and limits is available in the Recreational fishing for rock lobster guide or at www.fish.wa.gov.au, or collect the guide from departmental offices, or Information Outlets.