Four Western Australian fishers have been collectively fined $5532 after being caught taking an illegal haul of sea urchins and using prohibited netting in protected waters. The penalties were handed down in Geraldton Magistrates Court following separate incidents involving men from Mandurah and Geraldton.
Mandurah Men Exceed Sea Urchin Bag Limits
Two Mandurah men faced fines exceeding $1500 each after they harvested nearly four times the legal daily limit of sea urchins from an inter-tidal reef near the Port Denison Marina. A 61-year-old from Silver Sands was fined $1604 for taking 78 sea urchins in October last year—58 over the daily bag limit of 20 per person. A 52-year-old from Falcon, who accompanied him, was fined $1504 for collecting 73 sea urchins, exceeding the legal limit by 53.
Geraldton Men Penalised for Illegal Netting
In a separate case, two Geraldton men were fined a combined $2424 after being caught illegally netting in the closed waters of the Greenough River. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) fisheries officers observed the pair using a 50-metre haul net to catch six sea mullet, one yelloweye mullet, and an undersized black bream in December. The Greenough River is closed to all net fishing.
When officers approached, the men attempted to hide the net in nearby bushland. Officers also discovered an undersized mulloway that had been caught on a fishing rod the previous night. A 33-year-old Geraldton man was fined $1634 after being convicted of giving a false name, netting in closed waters, taking an undersized black bream, and possessing an undersized mulloway. A 39-year-old Geraldton man was fined $790 for his offences.
Warning from Fisheries Officials
DPIRD Regional Compliance Midwest Director Mick Kelly emphasised the importance of adhering to fishing regulations. “Taking more than a bag limit allows, taking undersize fish or using a net illegally could threaten the sustainability of our fisheries,” he said. The fines serve as a reminder for all fishers to familiarise themselves with the rules for various species before heading out.
