Police are reminding people that illegal fishing has severe consequences after fishers at Gordon had their equipment seized and were issued fines of over $10,000, and others at Battery Point were issued infringements for more than $2,500.
Inspector Nikala Parsons from Police Marine and Rescue Services said, "Police remind fishers that the onus is on them to understand the regulations for the areas in which they are fishing and that the consequences of illegal fishing can be severe."
"Illegal fishing can result in thousands of dollars in fines and the seizure of vessels, and fishing equipment."
- Overnight on Saturday (14 February 2026), marine police investigated fishing activities at Gordon and the Nine Pin Point Marine Reserve in the D'entrecasteaux Channel. Police observed the fishing activities of a vessel that had allegedly set and retrieved rock lobster pots inside the marine nature reserve at Nine Pin Point. The unregistered vessel was allegedly operating at night without any navigation lights or the minimum required safety equipment. The vessel was intercepted by police at the Gordon Boat Ramp. The four people onboard were allegedly in possession of four unmarked rock lobster pots, five school shark taken within the shark refuge area, and undersize sand flathead. Police seized the vessel and fishing equipment and issued fines for over $10,000.
- Yesterday (Monday 16 February 2026), following information received from a concerned member of the public, police attended a jetty at Battery Point, and spoke to two men who were allegedly in possession of eight undersize flathead – some as small as 23cm. Current regulations state that flathead can only be taken between 35 and 40cm and that each fisher may only keep two. The men were issued with infringement notices in excess of $2,500 and the flathead were returned to the water unharmed.
"Police will maintain a presence on our waterways, and at boat ramps and jetty areas, and if you fish illegally, you should anticipate being caught," said Inspector Parsons.
"If you witness illegal fishing, please help us by reporting to police on 131 444."
