According to local news source Fisheries and Marine Officers apprehended the vessel on Wednesday 8 October around 9:40am and then escorted it back to Fremantle, where its cargo of fresh fish and scallops was seized under Section 193 of the Fish Resources Management Act (FRMA). It is told that approximately 147 kilograms of scallops and mixed fish has been secured in cold storage. The officers also inspected the fishing gear aboard the trawler. South Metropolitan Compliance Manager John Breeden informed that the vessel had been under observation throughout the night for suspected unlawful fishing.
It is told that a Department of Fisheries patrol vessel intercepted it on Wednesday morning. Breeden informed that the surveillance operation was triggered on Tuesday after Fisheries and Marine Officers saw the vessel at a fuelling berth in Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour. He further said that it was later seen heading to sea.
According to Breeden the authorities are still investigating the matter and, after this phase is complete, potential charges under the FRMA may be considered. It is explained that the probes include formal interviews with the vessel’s master and a crew member, who was the only other person on board the trawler. Breeden opined that any proved offences, related to Western Australia’s managed fisheries, could attract fines of up to $25,000 for a first offence, plus additional mandatory penalties related to the value or weight of the fish involved.
