As the waters around the Fleurieu fill with boats, South Coast MP and Primary Industries Minister David Basham has announced increases of up to 1250% to fines for a range of fishing offences.

The new penalties will apply from March 2021 and include an increase from $50 to $625 for taking 10 undersize King George Whiting or taking 10 over the bag limit for Southern calamari (squid). 

Minister Basham announced the increases yesterday saying, “Some fishing fines haven't increased for almost 30 years and are no longer deterring people who want to break the rules,”

"The black-market value of seafood has increased well beyond the penalties set back in the 1980s.

"For example, under the old rules, someone caught taking 20 undersize crabs could only be issued a $100 fine. Offenders found it cheaper to break the law than pay up to $150 for the crabs at the shops.

"Both recreational fishers and the commercial sector have been disgusted at these low fines, and both have called for significantly larger fines to deter wrong-doers.

"Using the blue crab example, under the new penalties announced today, an offender caught with more than 20 undersized crabs is going to be fined $625.

The decision to change the expiation fees is in response to calls from the recreational sector and followed a review conducted in 2019.

The review of fines found many fishing offences and penalties have been unchanged since 1989 when the power to issue expiation notices was introduced.

"Remember, if you see someone breaking the fishing rules, report the activity to the 24-hour FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522, or on the SA Fishing App," Minister Basham said.

In total 128 individual offences will have increased penalties for recreational and commercial fishers (including boat, bag, size and gear restrictions).

South Australian fishing rules are listed at www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing/recreational_fishing