Two men to face court after “Operation Byford”
Date: Friday, 6 June 2008
http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/media/index.php?0000&mr=555
Two men are facing prosecution under Western Australia’s fishing laws this month, after allegedly being found in possession of marron out of season.
The men were apprehended in Canning Mills Road, Kalamunda, on Friday 23 May 2008, when Fisheries and Marine Officers were involved in a joint operation that also included Police, Water Corporation Officers, Serpentine/Jarrahdale Shire rangers and Department of Environment and Conservation Officers, who carried out a range of roadside checks and other targeted activities.
Department of Fisheries Compliance Manager for the Southern Metropolitan Region John Breeden said ten Fisheries and Marine Officers (FMOs) took part in the two-night “Operation Byford”, along with 28 officers from the other agencies.
“The two men facing prosecution allegedly had two-dozen marron in the vehicle they were in, when it was stopped and searched,” Mr Breeden said. “Luckily the FMOs were able to return the marron to the water, at a nearby dam, but they also seized six drop nets and a torch.”
30 year-old Clinton Peter Hawkins of Bickley and Bradley James Watson, aged 31, from High Wycombe were, this week, each charged with joint possession of 24 marron during a non-possession period on land not owned or occupied by that person. They are expected to face Midland Magistrates Court on Thursday 26 June 2008.
If found guilty, they could be fined up to $5,000 and be ordered to pay an additional mandatory penalty of $960 for the marron that was allegedly in their possession.
Mr Breeden said the joint operation, which resulted in successful outcomes for the agencies involved, was a good test of interagency organisational skills and provided a good exercise from which future operations in the district would benefit.
“Department of Fisheries and Water Corporation officers often do joint patrols at drinking water dams near Perth and in the South West of the State and this was an opportunity to take part in a broader operation in the Perth hills area,” he said.
“There are likely to be further joint operations later in the year and, in the meantime, Fisheries and Marine Officers will continue to do surveillance or patrols at WA dams. We also encourage assistance from members of the public, who notice any suspicious fishing activity anywhere. They should call FISHWATCH on 1800 815 507.
Details about fishing rules are available from Department of Fisheries offices or they can be downloaded from the Department of Fisheries website at www.fish.wa.gov.au.