❓ I refer to fishing related offences over the past 12 months, and I ask : (a) How many fishing-related offences have occurred across the State over the past 12 months; (b) Can a breakdown of the type o
AnsweredQoN 2019Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to fishing related offences over the past 12 months, and I ask : (a) How many fishing-related offences have occurred across the State over the past 12 months; (b) Can a breakdown of the type of offences be provided; (c) Since the Demersal fishing ban was implemented, how many offences have occurred relating to illegal fishing of demersal species; (d) What is the penalty for breaches mentioned in (c); and (e) What is the total sum of the penalties handed out in (c)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 May 2026
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Fisheries
Response time
1 days
(a) From 19 March 2025 to 19 March 2026, DPIRD detected 3,158 suspected fishing offences.
(b) A breakdown of the 5 main types of offences is as follows:
· 1,102 were for undersize fish
· 616 offences were for no licence, or failing to adhere to licence conditions
· 582 offences were for exceeding the bag limit
· 287 offences were for fishing in closed waters
· 131 offences were for using illegal fishing gear.
(c) 31, from 16 December 2025 to 19 March 2026.
(d) The penalties applicable to 30 of the offences range from a formal recorded warning with no monetary penalty to monetary fines of $200, $400 and $1,000. One offence is likely to be prosecuted and carries a maximum general penalty of $5,000 for a first offence and $10,000 for a subsequent offence.
(e) The total sum of penalties for the offences, not including the pending prosecution, is $5,200.
(b) A breakdown of the 5 main types of offences is as follows:
· 1,102 were for undersize fish
· 616 offences were for no licence, or failing to adhere to licence conditions
· 582 offences were for exceeding the bag limit
· 287 offences were for fishing in closed waters
· 131 offences were for using illegal fishing gear.
(c) 31, from 16 December 2025 to 19 March 2026.
(d) The penalties applicable to 30 of the offences range from a formal recorded warning with no monetary penalty to monetary fines of $200, $400 and $1,000. One offence is likely to be prosecuted and carries a maximum general penalty of $5,000 for a first offence and $10,000 for a subsequent offence.
(e) The total sum of penalties for the offences, not including the pending prosecution, is $5,200.
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