Protester who dumped shark heads at minister's office willing to go to jail

Protester who dumped shark heads at minister's door willing to go to jailBy Madigan Landry and Neve BrissendenABC South West WATopic:Courts5h ago5 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 7:31amMason Jones, pictured in a shark costume, says a $1,750 fine will not deter him from further protest action. (ABC South West WA: Jacqueline Lynch)In short: The ringleader of a group of fishermen who dumped shark heads outside the office of Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis, to protest WA's demersal fishing bans, says he is willing to go to jail to keep campaigning against the measures. Mason Jones has been fined $1,750 by the Bunbury Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to his involvement in the December protest. What's next?Speaking outside court, Jones said he was planning further protest action.abc.net.au/news/protestor-who-dumped-shark-heads-willing-to-go-to-jail/106617008Link copiedShareShare articleThe ringleader of a group of fishermen who dumped shark heads outside Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis's office, protesting the WA government's demersal fishing ban, says he has no intention of halting the campaign.Mason Dwayne Noel Jones faced Bunbury Magistrates Court today and pleaded guilty to littering and trespass charges.The court heard Jones was the organiser and main perpetrator of the incident. He was fined $1,750.Overalls were also found outside the minister's office. (ABC South West WA: Madigan Landry)In December, Jones and two others were charged after the heads of multiple shark species, along with a message inscribed on fishing overalls, were found outside Ms Jarvis's office in Margaret River, 270 kilometres south of Perth.Protester proud of actionsThe demonstration occurred three days before the permanent ban of commercial demersal fishing came into effect along 900 kilometres of the west coast from Kalbarri to Augusta.Jones told the court he was proud of what he had done."She's ruined my life ... I can't say I'm sorry for my actions," he said.Jones told the court he had made a full admission of guilt at his earliest opportunity, contacting multiple news outlets immediately after the incident to alert them.Shark heads were dumped outside Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis's office in Margaret River in December. (Supplied: Mason Jones)Magistrate Melissa McEwen said Jones's motivation for the protest was "valid"."But it's how you went about doing it that is wrong," she said."It becomes a personal attack on a member of parliament who is simply doing a job."She must have felt scared and intimidated."No plans to back downOutside court, Jones said he was willing to face incarceration for the cause. "I'll go to jail," he said. "There's no real line in the sand really."Depends on how far this goes and how far the government's willing to push back on us because we're quite happy to sit back and fight the fight."Mason Jones says he is willing to serve prison time for further protest action. (ABC South West WA: Madigan Landry)Jones's demonstration was followed by mass protests outside state parliament and in Geraldton.He said he hoped the demonstration opened channels for dialogue, but additional protests were being planned."[The minister needs to] start having these hard chats because it's not going away," Jones said."Commercial fishermen aren't going to jeopardise what puts food on the table and recreational fishermen, we aren't going to deplete being able to provide for our community."She knows wine, we know fish; stick to your wineries, Jackie."Ms…

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