Boat skipper charged thousands of dollars after attempting to conceal fish from DPIRD officers

A Fremantle man has been fined thousands of dollars for exceeding demersal fishing limits north of Geraldton earlier this year and trying to hide his catch from Fisheries officers. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers inspected a vessel on Thursday, April 4, when it returned to shore at Little Bay, about 80km north of Geraldton. Three people were aboard and were found to be in possession of six baldchin groper, four coral trout and a dhufish — seven demersal fish over the limit. Last week a Geraldton Court heard a statement from the skipper who admitted he had tried to hide the excess fish by putting them in a battery compartment. Regional compliance director for the Mid West Mick Kelly said DPIRD officers were there to protect WA’s fishing industry. “By hindering and obstructing Fisheries officers, fishers are preventing them from doing their duty to help protect WA’s valuable fish resources,” he said. The man received a $1000 fine for exceeding the limit for demersal fish, a mandatory penalty of $1071.20, a general penalty of $500 for obstruction and costs of $272.70, equalling a total fine of $2843.90. The rules regarding recreational fishing are available online at the DPIRD website. Anyone who sees illegal fish activity should contact FishWatch on 1800 815 507.