Rock lobster fishing offences almost two years ago had their sequel in Joondalup Magistrates Court this month, when two recreational fishers were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling more than $6,300.

The court was told the men were observed jointly pulling and resetting 10 rock lobster pots and setting an 11th pot in waters west of the Two Rocks Marina on Monday morning 8 March 2010.

Laurent Rodolphe POTRAIS, aged 42, of Woodridge was issued fines of $3,300, a mandatory additional penalty of $882 and court costs of $251.40, while 33 year-old Michael William LEWIS, from Two Rocks, was fined $1800 with costs of $125.70.

After surveillance of the men, Fisheries and Marine Officers inspected the vessel the men were on, when it returned to shore and located a total of eight western rock lobsters.

The court further heard that is was an offence to use more than two pots per person to fish for rock lobster at any one time.

Potrais was also observed two days later pulling and resetting eight pots – resulting in a catch of nine rock lobsters.

When Fisheries and Marine Officers executed a search warrant on his home, Potrais was found to have nine western rock lobster tails in the fridge freezer in his kitchen.

Speaking after the prosecution (on Wednesday 8 February 2012), North Metropolitan Region Compliance Manager Todd A’Vard said the case highlighted the rule that recreational fishers were not allowed to pull pots that were not their own, regardless of whether they belonged to friends or not.

“These fishers have paid a high price for breaching the recreational rock lobster fishing rules,” Mr A’Vard said.

“Fishing laws have been put in place to help protect WA’s valuable fish stocks and to ensure there will be fish for the future.”

Tuesday 14 February 2012