A RECREATIONAL angler has landed fines and penalties totalling more than $38,000 after being convicted of illegally possessing 145.17kg of frozen fish fillets.
Trevor Waters, 46, failed to appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on a Fisheries charge this week, and was found guilty in his absence.
The Yunderup angler was caught with boxes of frozen fish weighing 125.17kg more than the $20kg allowable limit.
Fisheries officers in the Gascoyne and Perth tailed Waters during a surveillance operation when ended with the fish being seized in Ravenswood.
Waters claimed he had been on a fishing trip with friends and the group freighted the catch from Carnarvon and Exmouth for collection at Perth.
His name was listed as the receiver of the fish on consignment notes and each of the boxes containing the fillets, Waters claimed he was collecting the fillets on behalf of his friends.
Department of Fisheries South Metropolitan Compliance Manager John Breeden said Fisheries’ regulations clearly stated it was illegal to possess more than 20kg of fish, whether it was for personal consumption or for distribution to others.
“These rules are in place to ensure fishers take sustainable amounts of fish to ensure there are fish for the future for all to enjoy,” Mr Breeden said.
“The size of the fine should act as a strong message to all recreational fishers transporting fish fillets from fishing trips, to make sure they do not exceed the individual possession limit and this
also includes all fish held at their residence.”
Waters copped a mandatory $30 penalty for every kilogram of fish above the allowable limit, totalling more than $37,000, and was fined $750. He was also ordered to pay $121.95 in costs.
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