Geraldton man fined more than $6000 for illegally fishing undersized lobster with spear, and sea urchin

A Geraldton man has been slapped with a fine of more than $6000 after he was caught illegally fishing Western rock lobster and sea urchin. The Geraldton Magistrates Court was told this week that the 39-year-old man from Beresford had been found with 11 undersized lobsters — some caught with a hand spear — and 35 sea urchins in December 2022. Eight of the lobsters had punctured carapaces, the upper section of the body. The current limit for recreational fishers is eight Western rock lobsters and 20 sea urchins a day. The court was also told the man did not hold a recreational rock lobster fishing licence and used an instrument capable of piercing a lobster, or damaging rock lobster, which is also an offence. For possession of undersized lobsters, the man was ordered to pay fines and penalties totalling $1790. For having in excess of the bag limits for the lobsters and sea urchins he was ordered to pay $1550. He was also issued with fines and penalties of $2500 and required to forfeit his hand spear for using an illegal means to take the lobsters. For not holding a recreational rock lobster licence at the time of his offences the man was fined $250. The penalties left the man $6362 out of pocket. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development regional compliance director for the Mid West Mick Kelly said fishers needed to be aware of the rules at all times. “We urge fishers to return any undersize rock lobster within five minutes, to allow better survivability, so divers should measure and count their lobster catches while they are still in the water,” he said. “Divers may only catch rock lobster by hand, or by using a hand-held snare or a blunt crook. Spears, nets, and other similar items that can damage rock lobster are illegal.”