A 56-year-old disability pensioner from Wannanup was ordered to pay more than $10,000 in fines for taking more than twice the daily bag limit of western rock lobster and failing to tail clip them.
In December last year, Fisheries and Marine Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) inspected the man’s catch when he returned to the Mary Street boat ramp.
They found 31 live rock lobsters that had not had their tails clipped or punched.
Karl Brent Holland pleaded guilty at Mandurah Magistrates Court on Tuesday to failing to tail clip a rock lobster within the allowed time and taking more than twice the bag limit.
The daily bag limit for western rock lobster is eight and Holland was found to be in possession of more than double this limit.
DPIRD officers seized the 23 excess live lobsters and released them back into the ocean.
Magistrate Leanne Atkins fined the man $800 for failing to tail clip, with an additional mandatory penalty of $7,750, plus $800 for taking more than twice the bag limit and an additional penalty of $575, plus costs of $300.50.
“You knew what you were doing,” she said.
“It’s essential that people like you who go out fishing for rock lobster know the regulations.
“People like you decimate the stocks for other people it’s pure greed that makes you take more that the bag limit.”
Because Holland is a disability pensioner Ms Atkins gave him the minimum penalty.
Director Regional Compliance Metro Todd A’Vard said that the whites run offered great opportunities to catch western rock lobsters, however fishers must stick within the bag limit.
“Fisheries officers on the West Coast will be on patrol to ensure the fishing rules are followed,” Mr A’Vard said.
“This case certainly proves that operating outside the rules for recreational fishers can be a very costly error for the offender.”
The rules related to recreational fishing for rock lobster are available in a dedicated booklet Rock lobster Recreational fishing guide 2024–25 and the information can also be found on Fisheries website, or by searching the rules by species and location.
Anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity should call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 or report the matter via the online form on Crimestoppers.