Commonwealth fishers doing the wrong thing will be caught as demonstrated with the conviction earlier this month of the skipper of the Commonwealth fishing vessel, Celtic Rose.
On 1 December 2016, Mr Ashley McNamara was convicted in the Latrobe Valley Magistrate’s court for offences under the Fisheries Management Act 1991. The conviction carried a fine of $1000 and the proceeds of the illegal catch, valued at $400, forfeited.
The offences related to the illegal sale of fish without recording the catch in the operator’s fishing logbooks, a requirement of Commonwealth fishing conditions, which were detected as part of a joint operation with the Tasmania Police.
AFMA’s A/g General Manager Operations, Mr Tod Spencer said that it was imperative that operators record all catch.
“Not recording catch taken is robbing from our marine resources, and other fishers,” Mr Spencer said.
“Every year total allowable catch limits are set for Commonwealth commercial species to help ensure their sustainability.
“Not reporting catch undermines the strict monitoring and reporting regime we have in place so that current and future generations can continue to enjoy a healthy supply of fresh, locally caught seafood.”
For more information of the monitoring and enforcement in Commonwealth fisheries visit afma.gov.au.