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Three Abalone Poachers Netted At Fish Creek

Two men and a woman from South Gippsland have pleaded guilty in the Korumburra Magistrates’ Court to trafficking and possessing a commercial quantity of abalone.

By Department of Primary Industries - 7th August 2009 - Back to News

Department of Primary Industries Prosecutor Joshua Hannaford told the court on Thursday last week, that the three had been intercepted at Fish Creek by Gippsland Fisheries Officers and Victoria Police on the morning of April 10, 2009.

At the scene, Fisheries Officers seized more than 230 black-lipped abalone located in the back of a Mitsubishi sedan together with diving gear.

Craig Paine, 33, from Mirboo, was convicted on both charges and received an aggregate sentence of three months jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.

He was placed under a prohibition order banning him from possessing any abalone or commercial abalone equipment for five years, being within one kilometre of marine waters or on a boat less than 20 metres in length.

Magistrate Fiona Hayes said Mr Paine had taken many risks with his liberty by engaging in this type of activity.

She said this type of conduct was not opportunistic and only occurred where there was clear demand.

Candice Densley, 23, also from Mirboo, was fined $3000 without conviction and ordered to pay $393 in costs.

Ms Densley was placed under the same prohibition order as Mr Paine.

Mathew Pulham, 23, from Fish Creek, was fined $3000 without conviction and issued with the same prohibition order as his two co-offenders.

Fisheries Victoria Field Services Director Mick Hodder said abalone was a highly valued species in Victoria that must be protected to ensure it can be sustainably fished in the future.

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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