$3000 Fines For Death Of Great White Shark

April 9, 2005

Release from: Luke Sayer
Hobart Mercury

Three fishermen who revelled in the publicity of catching a great white shark have been handed hefty fines.

But the $3000 fine yesterday for each of the men was much less than the maximum $100,000 fine allowed by fisheries regulations.

The three men caught the shark on January 25 last year and featured in media reports.

Warren Arthur Dare, 38, of Mylan Cres, Shorewell Park, in the state's northwest and Tarquin Charles Dick, 45, of Wright St, Shorewell Park, pleaded guilty last month.

Boat owner Shane Peter Jackson, 38, of Clarks Rd, Stowport, was found guilty by magistrate Tim Hill, who said he found Jackson's evidence to be unbelievable.

The men said they did not know the shark was a great white, a protected species, until well after they had brought it ashore at Somerset.

"You knew full well what species of shark it was when you pulled it to the surface," Mr Hill said.

"You decided to keep it, killed it, brought it to shore and hung it outside one of your homes and then butchered it.

"You appeared to revel in the publicity this generated."

Mr Hill said he had the power to fine each man $100,000 and although none had directly relevant prior convictions, their records showed a general disdain for the law. He said he had to take into account Dare and Dick were receiving social security benefits and Jackson's employment situation.

"The penalty should be sufficient to deter you personally but also to deter other people in the community.

"It should not be taken as a tariff but what I consider appropriate. In other circumstances, the fine could be considerably higher."

Jackson said he was very disappointed with the fine.

"If I ever catch a fish again, no one will hear about it," he said. "I still believe we are innocent.

"We did everything in our power to help [the authorities].

"We were rewarded with two t-shirts and a book and then hit with a fine."

Dare said it was a waste of time pleading guilty because they got no benefit from it.

"We went through all the right channels and believe we are innocent," he said.