4:36 AM Sun 16 Aug 2009 GMT
Two men are each facing almost $50,000 in fines and six months in prison after allegedly being found in possession of a number of illegal lobster pots and prohibited size eastern rock lobsters, NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, said today.
'NSW Department of Industry and Investment (DII) Fisheries Officers conducted covert surveillance on the two men in Frazer's Blowhole at Snapper Point on July 30,' Minister Macdonald said.
'It will be alleged that the men were observed retrieving and resetting five unmarked lobster traps.
'The men were found to be in joint possession of four eastern rock lobsters, three of them were of prohibited size.
'Five traps, four eastern rock lobsters and assorted gear used to bait and check the pots were seized by fisheries officers.'
The men, a 30 year old from Hamilton and a 42 year old from Bolton Point will face charges of possessing prohibited size lobsters, unlawful use of trap, failure to mark lobster floats and set more than one lobster trap.
In another matter, a 35 year old Sydney man has allegedly been caught red handed with an illegal haul of rock lobsters near the Coalcliff Surf Lifesaving Club, north of Wollongong on July 29.
'The man was allegedly carrying a backpack containing a hessian bag with 21 eastern rock lobsters, 14 of them below the prescribed minimum size limit,' Minister Macdonald said.
'Fisheries Officers seized the lobsters and the backpack and the man will face court charged with possessing prohibited size lobsters, and possess more than the maximum quantity of lobster. He's now looking at $22,000 in fines and three months in prison.'
And 10 eastern rock lobsters have been returned to the water live, after a man was allegedly spotted with the illegal haul and apprehended by NSW DII Fisheries Officers in Tathra last month.
The 50 year old Tathra man was allegedly found to be in possession of an unmarked lobster trap which contained six lobsters, with another four lobsters found in the boat, when he docked near the Kianinny boat ramp.
The man will be charged with possessing prohibited size lobsters and unlawful use of trap and could face up to $33,000 in fines and a lengthy jail term.
The possession limit for eastern rock lobster is two per person.
by Ian Macdonald Minister for Primary Industries
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Double Is Pt, QLD
