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Abalone Offences Land Melbourne Man A Heavy Fine

A 46-year old Glen Waverley man, has been fined $2000, with a conviction, after pleading guilty to illegally taking abalone at Kilcunda, Victoria, in March this year.

By Department of Primary Industries - 26th August 2009 - Back to News

The Korumburra Magistrates Court heard that on March 21, Fisheries Officers on patrol became aware that there was a diver using scuba diving equipment suspiciously in the water.

One of the Officers had discovered a number of freshly shucked abalone shells in a rock crevice on the water’s edge close to where two men and a woman were inspected but no one admitted to taking the abalone. One of the Officers escorted the people off the reef for questioning.

About 10 minutes later Yun Kwon Jang surfaced in waist deep water, the other Officer approached Jang and identified himself as a Fisheries Officer.

Mr Jang had a large mesh catch bag containing abalone attached to his side and attempted to release the abalone and tried to retreat into deeper water.

The Officer pursued and restrained Jang in the water. After resisting arrest Mr Jang was overpowered and pulled onto the reef.

The bag held 33 blacklip abalone, seven of which were under the legal size of 11cm.

Mr Jang told the court while he was aware the daily catch limit for abalone was five per person he had thought it legal to catch that number for each member of his 10-person group.

However Magistrate Hill dismissed the excuse saying that on that basis, Mr Jang could claim to be catching abalone for every person in the state.

He was convicted of taking more than twice the legal limit of abalone, taking undersized abalone, obstructing a Fisheries Officer and several other abalone related charges.

The scuba diving equipment and other diving gear valued at approximately $3000 was seized and forfeited. Mr Jang was also ordered to pay $95 in costs.

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour reporting line 13-FISH (13 3474).

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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