FISHERIES NON COMPLIANCE - EASTER AND ANZAC DAY HOLIDAYS
With great weather over the recent Easter and ANZAC long weekends lots of people were out and about but unfortunately many didn’t do the right thing over this holiday period yet Fisheries Victoria are pushing ahead with their proposal to end enforcement by gutting our Fisho's.
These were recorded by members of the public and posted on social media.
Here are some of the many concerning breaches.
Along the coast
- Two men caught a 6kg gummy shark fishing in a Marine National Park after midnight.
- A man was found to have taken 70 wrasse with the majority being undersize.
- Two men were checked after rock fishing with 40 fish, of which 32 were undersize.
- People failing to return toadfish to the water and leaving them to die.
- Abalone were found concealed in SCUBA vests and additional bags stashed in rock pools.
- Tragically three people drowned while fishing at designated rock fishing platforms where lifejackets are now required. Two were swept off the rocks at Punchbowl Rd, San Remo, while collecting abalone and a fisher at Cape Schanck who was wearing a lifejacket. Our thoughts are with their families.
Fisheries Officers regularly patrol these rock platforms to ensure lifejackets are worn and to inform people of the associated dangers.
Around the bays
- Over 60 abalone were taken by a diver from a vessel with 4 occupants, who frantically threw abalone overboard including shucked meats. Officers were able to recover 40 abalone and subsequently seized the vessel with charges pending.
- Three men took abalone and urchins from a Marine Sanctuary.
- A man was found with 32 snapper concealed in his vehicle.
- Shellfish were collected from the intertidal zone in numerous locations.
- Abalone were found concealed in dive fins, weight belt pockets, gloves and cars.
- A vessel was inspected with 8 undersize snapper on board.
- One man took 25 abalone and several others twice the bag limit.
- An on-water patrol found 5 people to have exceeded the bag limit for squid.
- Two men checked with 28 abalone, 18 of which were concealed.
Inland
- Excess rods used to take 3 undersize Golden perch.
- Murray cod bag limit exceeded, including tethering fish.
- An undersize Murray spiny freshwater crayfish was caught out of season.
- Officers found and removed a large drum net from a major river.
- Two people found to have taken brown and rainbow trout in closed waters.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the public who have continued to support our officers, not only by uploading footage of offences being processed, but also the kind words and encouragement.
Save Our Fish - Save Our Fisheries Officers
Please take the time to sign the parliamentary petition.
KAREN BATT
CPSUVic Secretary
Media Contact: +61417541789
