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The South Eastern Times : March 2nd 2017
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NEWS 9 Lobster penalty debated A COMBINED fine of close to $40,000 for taking rock lobster in contravention of the law has raised debate as to whether the penalty is a fair reflection of the offence. Three fishermen were recently fined separate amounts in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court for offences related to the same activity when around 23kg of rock lobster was moved from one pot to another. Lawyer Flavio Verlato represented all three defendants and believes the result is an absurd penalty for the offences committed. “A finding that about 23kg of fish is taken and not unlawfully, but in contravention of certain provisions, ends up meaning that a person wears a fine of in aggregate close to $20,000,” Mr Verlato said. “Essentially the law wants to make penalties for transgressions within a commercial sphere worse than a host of other criminal behaviour.” Mr Verlato said the penalty behind the act is aimed at protecting stocks in the sea, but questioned whether in this case the law is achieving the goal. “The man has reached quota and put his excess 23kg of fish in someone else’s pot for them to bring in as part of their quota,” Mr Verlato said. “If he threw the fish back, the other person was still going to catch 23kg of rock lobster to reach their quota, so the net affect is zero and no extra fish have actually been taken.” By law, fish have to be returned to the sea. Childcare future talks THE FUTURE of the Gladys Smith Early Learning Centre was discussed behind closed doors at Wattle Range Council’s February meeting. Last year, an independent auditor was appointed to conduct a financial sustainability review of the council-owned childcare centre following a forecasted loss of $260,000 in the 2016/17 period. In addition, the comprehensive report detailed staff levels and the current political environment. Council moved to discuss the business operations of the centre in confidence, with chief executive officer Ben Gower and Councillor John Drew declaring conflict of interests in the matter. Councillors voted to endorse and support the implementation of seven recommendations enclosed in the “A Review of Business Operations Gladys Smith Early Learning Centre Millicent” document, which was voted to be kept confidential. Centre attendance levels have decreased as a result of low birth rates, the intake of younger children to State Government kindergartens and child and educator ratio changes by the Federal Government. IN BRIEF Footpath feedback sought THE District Council of Robe is seeking the community’s views on the provision of footpaths in the town, their location and method of construction. Council chief executive Roger Sweetman said it has produced a discussion paper on the options that are available for footpath construction. He said a copy of the report can be obtained from the council office or viewed online with the closing date for submissions being March 31. “Council wants to know where the community would like footpaths to be constructed and what material they will be constructed of,” Mr Sweetman said. The matter has been the subject of much public discussion in recent months. Foreshore fence in spotlight NUMEROUS comments have been publicly expressed about a fence which runs along the foreshore in a central part of Robe. Robe District Council chief executive Roger Sweetman said council had considered the future of the existing fence at Mundy Terrace at an elected member forum held last month. “Council will formally consider its future at the next monthly meeting to be held on March 14,” Mr Sweetman said. Mundy Terrace runs from the junction of Smillie Street and Victoria Street to Royal Circus. Chambers to perform in region FORMER Southend resident Bill Chambers will be back in familiar surroundings on March 24. He will perform at the Rendelsham Community Hall on March 24 with Mount Gambier’s Sandra Humphries as the support artist. www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au “There is real possibility they might be damaged unintentionally, purely from the fact they went into the pot in the first place,” Mr Verlato said. “Also by exposing them in the open water, like you would do when you throw them back in, you are actually exposing them to their natural predators in an environment where they don’t have their normal defences.” Primary Industries and Regions SA director of operations Peter Dietman said fishermen know the rules and are expected to abide by them. “The Commercial Southern Rock Lobster Fishery is a quota managed fishery and strict regulations are in place for commercial fishers to ensure sustainability and fair allocation of the resource,” Mr Dietman said. “This includes a set catch entitlement that can only be taken by the licence holder using the gear allocated on their licence, which is a long-standing and well understood rule within the fishery.” Mr Dietman said the integrity of the quota management system is a crucial part of the government’s management of this valuable resource. “Our fish stocks are a community-owned and finite resource and commercial licence holders are granted access with expectation they abide by the rules,” Mr Dietman said. “We were pleased with the outcome and the sentence sends a strong message of the seriousness of the matter.” WIN $ 47.99 JÄGERMEISTER 700ML A PORT ADELAIDE VIP EXPERIENCE Exclusive Q&A with Power Head Coach Ken Hinkley Tour of Allan Scott Power Headquarters Lunch with 2 senior Power players $ 47.99 JÄGERMEISTER 700ML $ 46.99 JÄGERMEISTER 700ML THIS PROMOTION IS RUN BY SIPN SAVE. PURCHASE ANY CASE OF GREAT NORTHERN SUPER CRISP LAGER, CARLTON DRY, CARLTON DRY LIME OR CARLTON DRAUGHT FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! ENTER ONLINE AT SIPNSAVE.COM.AU. SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. VW SOMERSET HOTEL MILLICENT 8733 2888 SipnSave supports the responsible service of alcohol. Specials apply 1/3/17 to 7/3/17 or while stocks last. Price may vary in country areas due to freight. Price includes GST. www.sipnsave.com.au SIPNSAVE.COM.AU SNS_P05_0103_28x5_SET The South Eastern Times, Thursday, March 2, 2017 - 9
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