Demerit points
A demerit point scheme for commercial fishing in South Australia was introduced in 2009, as an additional deterrent against fisheries offences.
Any person or body corporate is given demerit points if they are:
- found guilty of an offence
- pays an expiation fee (an on-the-spot-fine)
Demerit points last for 5 years from the date they are given and are then removed after the 5 years has elapsed.
Demerit points also stay against an authority if it is sold or transferred within this time.
An Authority means any person or body corporate, under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 that holds a:
- licence
- permit
- registration
- authorisation
- authority
If a person or body corporate reaches 100 demerit points within 5 years, they will be notified in writing and the letter will give a demerit point balance.
If a person or body corporate reaches 200 demerit points within 5 years, they may be disqualified from holding an authority for 10 years.
Read the Demerit Point Scheme Frequently Asked Questions ( or ) to find out more about how demerit points work.
Disqualification
Person disqualification
When a person is given 200 points within 5 years they may be disqualified for 10 years from:
- holding an authority issued under the Fisheries Management Act 2007, including
- a commercial fishing licence
- a fish processor registration
- a recreational registration for pots or nets
- operating as a director in a body corporate that holds an authority
- being a registered master on any boat
The authority held by a disqualified person will be immediately suspended and must be transferred. The Minister will compulsorily acquire the licence if it is not transferred within 180 days. Non-transferrable licences will be cancelled.
Body corporate disqualification
When a body corporate is given 200 demerit points within 5 years, each director is disqualified from holding or obtaining an authority for 10 years.
The authority held by a disqualified body corporate will be immediately suspended and must be transferred. The Minister will compulsorily acquire the licence if it is not transferred within 180 days. Non-transferrable licences will be cancelled.
See the Fisheries Management (Demerit Points) Regulations 2009 for a:
- list of offences
- number of demerit points for offences.
