Quota error costs rock lobster fisherman $20,000

A professional fisherman today received a penalty of $20,000 for exceeding his rock lobster quota by 357.1 kilograms.

However, Mark Ayling, 50, was granted a spent conviction for what Magistrate Brian Gluestein called “almost an honest mistake” which led to the charge of contravening a management plan in December 2013.

Geraldton Magistrate’s Court was told Ayling made some errors in his quota calculations after bringing in rock lobster on several occasions that month.

His lawyer said Ayling had been fishing commercially for 30 years without any record, and if a spent conviction was not granted a “black mark” would be added to his fishing licence.

He had also contacted Fisheries when he realised he had made the errors and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Mr Gluestein accepted the spent conviction submission, added a $100 fine to the $20,000 penalty and ordered Ayling to pay costs of $969.