Electronic Tracking Equipment Plays Key Role in Fisheries Conviction
01 August 2003

The Department of Primary Industries state-of-the-art vessel monitoring system (VMS) has played a key role in convicting and fining a commercial trawl operator $10,000 for fishing offences.

Damien Norgaard, 31, of Bundaberg pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on July 28 for exceeding his allocated fishing days and for not ensuring his VMS unit was functioning correctly.

Mr Norgaard was fined $6,500 plus $62.10 court costs for the offences and a further $3,500, based on a percentage of proceeds he made from selling the illegal catch.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district officer, Geoff Fergusson, Bundaberg, said the VMS data was critical to the conviction.

“Under fisheries legislation, commercial fishers must have the system turned on at all times, allowing VMS operators to electronically track the vessel’s activities and location,” he said.

“Operators notified the patrol that the VMS had not been reporting the vessel’s location.

“Patrol officers then began a lengthy investigation into the person’s fishing activities, discovering he had been illegally fishing and selling the catch.”

Mr Fergusson said the heavy fine sent a strong message to commercial operators about how seriously the courts took fisheries legislation.

“Fisheries regulations are in place for a reason which is to protect and conserve Queensland’s fish stocks,” he said.

“People who do the wrong thing will be caught and will pay the price. They should weigh this up before heading out to fish.”

Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 Ph 07 3239 6380
DPI Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)

Further information: Geoff Fergusson (07) 4131 5851
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

More Press Releases here: