Date: Wednesday, 3 February 2010
The dumping of shark carcasses on 80 Mile Beach, almost two years ago, has resulted in another commercial fisher being fined, over breaches of the fishing exemption he formerly operated under.

62-year-old Milton John COMINO was found guilty and fined a total of $4,500 in the Broome Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 2 February).

It follows fines of almost $1,800 issued against Kimley Ross WANN in Broome Court in April last year, after investigations into the discovery of shark remains on 80 Mile Beach.

In April 2008, Fisheries and Marine Officers from the Department of Fisheries Northern Region office inspected two separate fishing camps around 250 kilometres from Broome.

The then Fisheries Minister John Ford took immediate steps to cancel the exemptions that allowed two commercial fishers to net fish along 80 Mile Beach.

Yesterday, in Broome Court, Mr Comino was fined $2,200 on a charge of failing to bury or cover bycatch and $800 on a further charge of failing to nominate persons fishing for him.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of $1,500.

Department of Fisheries Northern Region Manager Peter Godfrey said commercial fishers needed to be aware of and adhere to conditions on their licences or exemptions.

“Conditions are imposed for sound sustainability, environmental and operational reasons,” Mr Godfrey said.

“A condition of the exemption issued to Mr Comino under the Fish Resources Management Act stated that no discarded fish, parts of fish or fish offal was to be left on the beach, or left unburied or exposed, as a result of set netting activities.

“Fisheries and Marine Officers estimated there were around 300 carcasses found at the dump site at Mr Comino’s camp on 80 Mile Beach.

“Not only did both commercial fishers (Mr Comino and Mr Wann) lose their exemptions over their unacceptable actions, but both matters have also led to each of the men being fined for breaching conditions that applied to their former fishing operations.”