Commercial fisher has license suspended
Wednesday 25 June, 2008

A fisherman has had his commercial fishing licence suspended after pleading guilty in the Christie Beach Magistrates Court yesterday to a series of fisheries offences.

Jeffery Moston How, (78), a commercial marine scalefish fisher from Port Willunga, was convicted on four counts of having agents engaged in a commercial fishing activity whilst he (the licence holder) was not present. In this fishery, licence holders are required to be present during fishing operations.

Mr How was also convicted on eight counts of breaching Section 68 of the Fisheries Act 1982 by providing false and misleading statements on official documents used to record the number of fish caught on a commercial licence.

Mr How was fined a total of $1,825 including costs and had his commercial fishing licence suspended for 30 days, effective immediately.

PIRSA Fisheries, Manager Compliance Services, Mr Paul Tatarelli said that, although he isn't as actively fishing these days, the decision by the Court to suspend Mr How’s commercial fishing licence should act as an effective deterrent to other commercial fishers within the industry.

Media Contact: Gary Darter, Acting Manager Compliance Operations, PIRSA Fisheries, Ph: 0408 805 477.