'Un-Australian': Fisherman cops fine for cracking beer

A Perth fisherman has said he’s been fined for cracking open a beer while fishing in the city’s northern suburbs.

Doug Vickery, 36, was fishing for octopus at Two Rocks Marina yesterday, when he said he was approached by police at the rock wall.

The officers breathalysed him and checked his license, before slapping him with a $200 fine under the Liquor Act for having an open beer.

“I didn’t know it was illegal to have a beer when you’re fishing,” he said.

“I think it’s just a case of revenue raising.”

Police told 9NEWS they were called out to reports of a driver speeding in the area, but Mr Vickery said it was not him.

“It’s really a joke – it’s un-Australian,” he said.

He claims after checking CCTV from a near-by fishing club, the officers fined him under the Liquor Act.

Prominent defence lawyer Tom Percy QC says police have the power to use their discretion in these cases.

“It is technically an offence but you’d think common sense would prevail and you’d think they (the police) would have better things to do,” Mr Percy said.

Last week, West Australian police came under fire for fining a motorcyclist who had loosened his helmet strap after being pulled over in Perth.