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Woodside Beach Fisher Fined And His Fishing Gear Seized

A Woodside man has been fined and forced to forfeit his boat and fishing gear after he pleaded guilty in Sale Magistrate’s Court to using commercial fishing equipment without authorisation and obstructing a Fisheries Officer.

By Department of Primary Industries - 12th August 2009 - Back to News

Mark Bryden, 35, a part-time resident of Woodside was last week fined $900 by the court, which also ordered that he forfeit a small boat, its outboard motor and fishing equipment.

He was apprehended by Fisheries Officers in January at Woodside Beach, after he and another man were found using three set lines with more than 25 hooks.

In Victoria, recreational fishers are only permitted to use a maximum of two hooks per line with a total of four lines permitted in the State’s marine waters.

His companion at the time, Paul Morris, 42, of Diamond Creek, was fined $600 by the court in May, after pleading guilty to using commercial fishing equipment without authorisation and hindering a Fisheries Officer. He was also forced to forfeit fishing gear.

Fisheries Victoria Gippsland Operations Manager Peter Courtney said under the Fisheries Act, it was an offence to possess commercial fishing equipment, such as ‘set’ or ‘long’ lines, without authorisation.

"Fishers caught using this equipment face severe fines and up to six months in jail," Mr Courtney said.

"The men involved in this incident also tried to stop a Fisheries Officer in the course of his duties by trying to take back their boat and equipment."

Mr Courtney said Fisheries Victoria was committed to ensuring Victoria’s fish stocks were sustainably fished by current and future generations of anglers.

"Fishing of all types is a major employer and popular recreational activity, especially in regional Victoria and any threat to its sustainability is a threat to jobs," he said.

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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