Illegal King George Whiting catch at Henley Beach

A Henley Beach man has been convicted and fined for offences relating to exceeding the catch limit and taking undersized King George Whiting in June last year.

The offender was sentenced in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in January this year and fined over $5,500 for his fishing activities in June 2025.

The incident occurred at the West Beach boat ramp, where a male recreational fisher was intercepted by Fisheries Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) during a routine catch inspection.

The fisher declared six King George Whiting to the authorities as his total catch. However, a subsequent search of the vessel uncovered an additional forty-one King George Whiting concealed beneath the vessel floor.

In total, forty-seven King George Whiting were found on the vessel, exceeding the daily catch limit of ten that applied at the time. Twenty-nine were below the legal minimum size for King George Whiting, which is 32cm in Gulf St Vincent.

The man pleaded guilty in court to taking all of the whiting and concealing them under the floor of the boat. The entire catch of King George Whiting, along with all fishing equipment used to catch the fish, was seized by PIRSA officers at the time.

Fishers are encouraged to download the free Recreational Fishing App, available on iPhone and Android devices, to stay up to date with fishing rules and limits. Suspicious or illegal fishing activity can be reported through the 24 hour FISHWATCH number on 1800 065 522. Callers can choose to remain anonymous.

More information is also available at recreational fishing.