Geraldton rock lobster fisher Sam Vincent Basile cops $8 million penalty for overfishing
A commercial rock lobster catcher in Western Australia’s Mid West region has been slapped with the heaviest fishing offence-related penalties in the state’s history — almost $8 million.
Geraldton-based Sam Vincent Basile repeatedly committed offences including fishing in zones he hadn’t nominated, breaching his licence, and was caught on satellite.
He has had his licence cancelled, worth $7.5 million, and will lose a further $302,000 in fines and court costs.