Illegal fishing trip costs SA man $2000

An illegal fishing trip has cost two South Australian men more than $2000.

The men sped away in their boat after being spotted by a fisheries officer in a snapper-filled area of the Yorke Peninsula during an annual fishing ban in December.

Luke Loechel, from the state's mid-north, was fined $1427 last month for speeding in an unregistered boat.

York Peninsula resident Michael Masters was fined $757 for failing to comply with a fisheries officer order.

"The snapper fishing closures are in place to minimise them being distributed during their breeding period and we make no apology for closely monitoring those who may be tempted to fish in those areas," A Department of Primary Industries and Resources spokesman said on Monday.