An Albany commercial fisherman has been ordered to pay more than $17,000 for unlawful interference with another person's commercial fishing gear and fishing in 'closed waters'.
The 53-year-old was fined a total of $17,720 after pleading guilty in the Albany Magistrates Court last week.
The court heard the man was seen removing fish from a net belonging to another commercial fisherman during a covert operation carried out by fisheries officers.
He was found in possession of a large number of fish by the officers who saw him illegally pulling the other commercial fisher's nets in the early hours of the morning.
Department of Fisheries compliance manager Richard Petty said the successful prosecution was a credit to the fisheries officers.
"Offences of this nature potentially have a two-fold impact, on the fish resources that are governed by management plans and on equitable access to the fishery by authorised fishers," he said.
"Compliance within the region's commercial fisheries is normally very good, this matter was an exception and we've received positive feedback from industry members in dealing with it."
In a separate case, three Albany men were ordered to pay $1669 each when they entered pleas of guilty to setting fish traps in the Waychinicup River in September 2014.
The men, all aged in their early 20s, baited and set several fish traps with the intent to catch marron.
The traps were removed the following day.
It is an offence in WA for recreational fishers to use fish traps in state waters.
Anyone with information about suspected illegal fishing activities should call 1800 815 507 to make a report.
