PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture is warning commercial fishermen and registered fish processors that they face serious penalties if they are caught making false statements.
This follows the recent conviction of a Streaky Bay man for making false statements relating to the take and sale of Mud Cockle through his commercial fishing licence and registered fish processing company.
Commercial fisherman Neil David Schmucker, of Streaky Bay, was convicted in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 22 August 2014 of falsely declaring the quantity of Mud Cockle caught by him and processed through his fish processing company, N D Schmucker Seafood Pty Ltd.
Mr Schmucker and his company collectively received fines totaling $26,962 and were ordered to pay court costs. In addition, both Mr Schmucker and N D Schmucker Seafood Pty Ltd received 100 demerit points each. Mr Schmucker also had his commercial fishing licence suspended for 30 days.
The convictions were the result of extensive investigations undertaken by Fisheries Officers in February 2012, uncovering what was alleged to have been a deliberate and systematic course of conduct over a period of time to evade his Mud Cockle fishery quota allocation.
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Regional Manager West, Andrew Carr, said the penalties imposed sent a strong deterrent message to commercial fishers and the fish processing industries that non-compliance will not be tolerated.
“Quota fisheries are strictly managed by setting a Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and allocating a set amount of fish that can be taken by each licence holder with a quota entitlement in the fishery,†he said. “The TACC ensures that only a sustainable amount of fish is taken out each year; when individuals choose to breach these rules it undermines the sustainability the fishery and the integrity of the fishery’s management systemâ€.
Members of the public are encouraged to report illegal or suspicious fishing activity through the 24 FISHWATCH number on 1800 065 522. Callers can choose to remain anonymous.
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