AVictorian man was arrested and fined by South Australian Fisheries Officers at Port MacDonnell after illegally taking abalone.
The man, from Clyde North in Melbourne, was apprehended during an inspection by Department of Primary Industries and Regions fisheries officers at Port MacDonnell in January 2023.
He was found to be in possession of four black lip abalone which he had caught by snorkelling, three of which were under the legal-size limit of 13cm.
He also failed to carry a measuring device, a requirement in South Australia for anyone attempting to catch abalone.
While arrests by Fisheries Officers are rare, the man was arrested after refusing to provide his name and address when asked by fisheries officers.
Under the South Australian Fisheries Management Act 2007 South Australian fisheries officers have the power to arrest a person if they reasonably suspect the person has committed an offence against the Act and fail to provide their name, address, or satisfactory identification.
It is a requirement that if requested by a Fisheries Officer, fishers must provide their names and addresses.
The fisher was fined more than $1000 and ordered to pay prosecution and other costs totalling $2708.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions Fisheries and Aquaculture Director Operations Benn Gramola said recreational fishers, particularly those visiting South Australia, were reminded to remain up to date and to follow the state’s fishing rules, including closures and daily, bag and boat limits before taking to the water.
“Fisheries officers have legal powers and can arrest people if necessary. However, this is very rare,” he said.
“It is a legal requirement for fishers to provide identification when asked by fisheries officers.
“In a typical interaction of this nature, it would be unlikely a fisher would be arrested for catching a few undersize abalone.
“This person was arrested for failing to provide identification.
“You need to know the rules when out fishing.
“The size, boat and bag limits, as well as other rules, can be found on the PIRSA website or through the SA Fishing app.”
