MARINE SANCTUARY: Spearfishers were allegedly caught in the Sponge Gardens Sanctuary Zone in Backstairs Passage off Kangaroo Island.
A newly-acquired marine parks patrol vessel has delivered immediate results with rangers from National Parks and Wildlife Service SA (NPWSSA) successfully detecting illegal fishing activity in South Australian sanctuary zones.
In one recent incident involving the patrol boat, spearfishers were allegedly caught in the Sponge Gardens Sanctuary Zone in Backstairs Passage off Kangaroo Island, having speared 35 reef fish, including a harlequin fish and blue groper.
The fishers had also allegedly collected more than 200 shellfish.
The new, long distance patrol vessel, Encounter II. Photo supplied
NPWSSA Senior…
