Joondalup Magistrates Court has ordered huge fines to rock lobster fishing offences done by recreational fishers. The two recreational fishers were ordered to pay fines and costs totaling more than $6,300. The court was told the men were observed jointly pulling and resetting 10 rock lobster pots and setting an 11th pot in waters west of the Two Rocks Marina on Monday morning 8 March 2010.
Laurent Rodolphe Potrias, aged 42, of Woodridge was issued fines of $3,300, while 33 year-old Michael William Lewis, from Two Rocks, was fined $1800 with costs of $125.70. According to the court it was an offence to use more than two pots per person to fish for rock lobster at any one time.
Potrais was also observed two days later pulling and resetting eight pots – resulting in a catch of nine rock lobsters. When Fisheries and Marine Officers executed a search warrant on his home, Potrais was found to have nine western rock lobster tails in the fridge freezer in his kitchen.
Commenting on the rule North Metropolitan Region Compliance Manager Todd A’Vard said the case highlighted the rule that recreational fishers were not allowed to pull pots that were not their own, regardless of whether they belonged to friends or not. He added that such law is necessary to protect WA’s valuable fish stocks and to ensure there will be fish for the future.
