Source: World Fishing
An Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery concession holder has been found guilty of unlawful fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Papua New Guinea (PNG).
On 17 March 2011, the concession holder based in Mooloolaba appeared before Magistrate Bernadette Callaghan in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
In handing down her decision the Magistrate found the company guilty of the offence, recording a conviction and imposing a $5,000 fine. In addition the Magistrate ordered the forfeiture to the Commonwealth of the illegal catch valued at $6,415.
The skipper of the vessel was also charged and convicted on 18 November 2010 receiving a $5,000 fine.
Magistrate Callaghan considered the matter to be serious and warned that illegal fishing by Australian operators had the potential to damage Australia's reputation for fisheries conservation.