Possible $10k fine for alleged sawfish bill possession

A 35-year-old Port Hedland man could face up to $10,000 in fines after he was allegedly found with a 74cm sawfish bill following a vehicle search by police this week.

Port Hedland police Sergeant Jason Gentili said the man, who allegedly told police he was given the item as a gift, was charged with possession of a totally protected species as well as a further drug-related count.

The discovery was reportedly made on Wednesday after a police patrol located a vehicle which had been reported for another matter earlier in the day.

Sgt Gentili said on searching the vehicle, police allegedly found the sawfish bill, along with two needles which were "ready for use".

"While we were conducting patrols we found the car and in the vehicle were two adult males," he said.

"One male has been charged with one count of possession of a prohibited drug (and) on further searching of the vehicle, we also found the sword."

He said simply having a bill in possession meant a person would face the penalties, even if they didn't cut the bill off themselves.

A spokesman for the Department of Fisheries said the incidentwas not connected to the discovery of a sawfish on a salt flat near Dixon Island, Cleaverville on the February 7

The man will attend South Hedland Magistrate's Court on March 11.