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‘Slow Learner’ Fined $10,000 For Illegal Fishing

A licensed eel fisherman, described by a magistrate at Bairnsdale as a ‘slow learner’, has been convicted and fined a total of $10,000 after pleading guilty to using commercial fishing equipment

By Department of Primary Industries - 14th November 2006 - Back to News

in the form of fyke nets, in waters that he was not authorised to access.

On Thursday 9^th November, the Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court heard 44 year old Peter Ingram set fyke nets in the lower reaches of the Snowy River and, on a separate occasion, in Sydenham Inlet.

Sydenham Inlet is part of the Cape Conran Costal Park and is closed to commercial fishing activity.

Charges were subsequently laid under the Fisheries Act and National Parks Act.

Fisheries Victoria Operations Manager Peter Courtney said "The community has a legitimate expectation to expect that both commercial and recreational fishers will conduct their activities in a responsible manner."

Mr Ingram who was on an undertaking at the time of these matters also had $1000 in costs awarded against him.

The community is encouraged to report any illegal or suspicious fishing activities to 13FISH (13-3474) at any time, seven days a week.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com