An expensive decision by a Perth fisherman to pull up someone else's cray pot has cost him a $1,188 fine.
The 45-year-old Rockingham man is one of ten people this cray fish season to have his catch seized by Fisheries officers after being caught interfering with a rock lobster pot that wasn't his.
![A Rockingham man has been fined $1,188 for interfering with someone else's cray pots.](/web/20170505072133im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/w/p/t/d/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvwpo7.png/1493690746029.jpg)
The offence occurred in Warnbro Sound in October with the man fined $1,188 in Rockingham Magistrates Court on April 24.
South Metropolitan acting compliance manager Ryan Parker said the magistrate, however, denied the Department of Fisheries' request to forfeit his $4,500 dinghy.
"Decisions around forfeiture are always up to the presiding magistrate," he said.
"We accept the decision in this case. Sometimes the department is granted forfeiture, as was the case in Lancelin court on 16 February when a 3.75 metre dinghy was forfeited. Sometimes it isn't.
"In the Lancelin case two local men were also fined more than $13,000 for their offences."
Meanwhile, a man caught by Fisheries with 44 undersized crabs during a roadside blitz on the Kwinana Freeway in December has had his fine more than tripled after he decided to fight it in Rockingham Magistrates Court.
The 31-year-old Hammond Park man was originally fined $1000 but elected to have the matter heard by a court and was convicted of being in possession of 44 undersized blue manna crabs and ordered to pay $3,388.
![Fisheries uncovered the illegal fishing camp hidden in mangroves after a tip off from the public.](/web/20170505072133im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/w/p/t/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gvwpo7.png/1493690746029.jpg)
He was one of 51 people issued infringements, warnings or prosecutions during December roadside checks.
Further north, an illegal fishing camp near Carnarvon was recently dismantled by Fisheries officers after local fishers reported the camp, hidden in mangroves inside a fish habitat protection area.
The hut was found during a boat patrol along the Miaboolya Creek.
"The makeshift camp was well established with a raised floor, upright posts and a corrugated iron roof. Inside, the Fisheries officers found a gas cooker and barbeque along with an assortment of cooking sauces, condiments and utensils," a Fisheries statement read.
"A large area of mangroves had been cleared to make way for the camp.
"A search of the area revealed a large quantity of cooked mud crab shells, many of which appeared to be undersize, as well as a concealed cache of illegal haul nets and fish traps, all of which were seized by Fisheries officers."
Any one who has information on suspected illegal fishing activities is asked to call FishWatch on 1800 815 507.