Man fined for illegal fishing to fight case in Broome Magistrates Court

A 62-year-old man who was fined more than $3700 for illegal fishing is set to fight the charges against him in Broome Magistrates Court later this year.

The fines were handed down in the man’s absence after he failed to front Broome Magistrates Court on February 20.

But now the man is preparing to challenge the fines against him in court, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

“The accused applied for the matter to be reheard and the court will rehear the case at a future date,” a DPIRD spokesperson said.

“DPIRD has no further comment at this stage while the matter is before the court.”

The man in question allegedly didn’t allow DPIRD Fisheries and Marine officers to inspect his boat while sailing off the coast of Beagle Bay on July 11, 2022.

The man allegedly became aggressive and threatened to throw the officers overboard if they tried to board his vessel.

A second attempt to board was once again allegedly thwarted by the man who refused to stop his vessel and drove away from officers.

Officers then followed the man back to the shore of Beagle Bay here they were able to carry out an inspection and allegedly found the man to be in possession of three mackerel and one bluefin tuna which were confiscated.

It is alleged none of the nine men onboard were in possession of a recreational fishing licence.

The 62-year-old was ordered to pay a total of $3764.30 in fines and costs for threatening an officer, failing to facilitate a boarding, failing to stop, for an excess bag limit and not possessing a licence.

The man has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him and is set to fight them in Broome Magistrates Court in June later this year.