News Release 5th June 2009
Court fines fishers for Marine Sanctuary breach
A Raymond Terrace court has ordered two fishermen who pleaded guilty to fishing in a marine sanctuary within the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park earlier this year pay a total of $2651 in fines and costs.
The court heard that the men, 22-year-old Mohamad Fenej of Greenacre, and 28-year-old Walid Fenej of Yagoona, had been fishing in a marine park sanctuary adjacent to Fly Point, Nelson Bay. The area has been closed to all forms of fishing for over 25 years and is now part of the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park.
Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park Manager Max Haste said the Fly Point – Corrie Island sanctuary was an area of significant environmental importance.
“It supports a unique range of fish and marine life, and within this area you cannot fish, destroy marine life, or even possess fishing gear. These restrictions are designed to protect marine life within the area, provide breeding stocks to help replenish other areas, as well as protect sensitive habitats and maintain biodiversity.
“It is also an important area for marine education due to the spectacular diversity and abundance of marine life and is considered to be the best shore dive in NSW.
“The fishermen were seen in a boat within the marine sanctuary only about 15 metres away from a large yellow buoy stating ‘Sanctuary Zone, No Fishing’. They pleaded guilty to possessing fishing gear in a marine park sanctuary; giving false names; having undersize fish and not having fishing licences. The men’s rods and esky were forfeited to the court and their illegal catch of snapper was also seized.”
Mr Haste recommended all fishers familiarise themselves with the marine park zones before going fishing and said zoning plan guides were available at numerous outlets including bait and tackle shops, tourist information centres, some caravan parks and even service stations in the region. He said the guides can also be viewed and downloaded from the Marine Parks Authority website on www.mpa.nsw.gov.au. He said that any information regarding illegal fishing in the region could be directed to the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park office on 02 4916 3970.Media Contact: Tonia Liosatos
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