❓ Mrs. Warr asks about fishing offences, including those related to the demersal fishing ban. The Minister provides data on the number and types of offences, penalties, and sums paid.

I refer to fishing related offences over the past 12 months, and I ask:(a) How many fishing-related offences have occurred across the State over the past 12 months;(b) Can a breakdown of the type of offences be provided;(c) Since the Demersal fishing ban was implemented, how many offences have occurred relating to illegal fishing of demersal species;(d) What is the penalty for breaches mentioned in (c); and(e) What is the total sum of the penalties handed out in (c)?

(a)          From 19 March 2025 to 19 March 2026, DPIRD detected 3,158 suspected fishing offences. (b)          A breakdown of the 5 main types of offences is as follows: ·              1,102 were for undersize fish ·              616 offences were for no licence, or failing to adhere to licence conditions ·              582 offences were for exceeding the bag limit ·              287 offences were for fishing in closed waters ·              131 offences were for using illegal fishing gear. (c)          31, from 16 December 2025 to 19 March 2026. (d)          The penalties applicable to 30 of the offences range from a formal recorded warning with no monetary penalty to monetary fines of $200, $400 and $1,000. One offence is likely to be prosecuted and carries a maximum general penalty of $5,000 for a first offence and $10,000 for a subsequent offence. (e)          The total sum of penalties for the offences, not including the pending prosecution, is $5,200.