Perth man apprehended following Rock Lobster surveillance operation

4:56 AM Tue 31 Mar 2009 GMT

A 39-year-old man is facing potential charges, under the Fish Resources Management Act (FRMA), for allegedly selling recreationally caught rock lobsters to a suburban Perth hotel.

The hotel is being investigated and could also face charges, related to a delivery of more than 220 rock lobsters made at the weekend.

Fisheries and Marine Officers involved in a surveillance operation apprehended the man on Sunday morning, after he was observed delivering the large quantity of rock lobsters from his residence in Greenhead to the metropolitan hotel.

Manager of Central Support Services for the Department of Fisheries, Ian Jones said Fisheries and Marine Officers recovered 10 foam eskies containing rock lobsters from the hotel after the man was taken into custody.

'It will be alleged that the rock lobsters were caught recreationally, so the man also faces the likelihood of a charge of being in possession of excess lobsters,' Mr Jones said.

'Fisheries and Marine Officers from Jurien and Geraldton seized the man's recreational dinghy from the main jetty at Greenhead on Sunday afternoon and, with support from local Police, also searched the man's residence.'

Mr Jones said recreational fishers should be aware that fishing laws allowed for seizure of vessels, vehicles and/or equipment that may have been used in alleged offences.

'Formal charges are yet to be laid in this case. However, the potential fines related to the alleged offences the man is likely to face are significant,' he said.

'The maximum fine for selling rock lobster that is fished recreationally is $25,000 and, through section 222 of the FRMA, there is also a mandatory penalty of ten times the value ($15) of each of the rock lobsters that is included in any proven offence.

'Excess possession of recreationally caught rock lobster can attract a fine of up to $5,000, plus a mandatory penalty of ten times the value of the rock lobsters in excess of the possession limit.

'The hotel was inspected as a result of the surveillance operation and could potentially face a charge of allegedly failing to keep records, which has a maximum fine of $10,000 and is also subject to the mandatory penalty for the rock lobsters involved.'

Mr Jones said both the man involved and hotel staff had co-operated with Fisheries and Marine Officers during the apprehension and inspection.

For further information visit www.fish.wa.gov.au

by WA Dept of Fisheries media

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Perth man apprehended following Rock Lobster surveillance operation

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