Illegal abalone haul at Phillip Island

[fishingvic]

Media Release
Monday 4 January 2016 | Media contact: Nick Foster (03) 8392 6254
www.vic.gov.au/fisheries

Illegal abalone haul at Phillip Island

Two men from Pascoe Vale and Ascot Vale have been found in possession of 114 abalone and various other shellfish near Berry’s Beach on Phillip Island.
Acting Director of Fisheries Education and Enforcement, Bob Hutton, said the men, known to Fisheries Officers, were intercepted by Victoria Police around midnight on 29 December.
“A bag was allegedly thrown from the men’s vehicle prior to being pulled over by Police,” Mr Hutton said.
“A second bag was located inside their vehicle, which allegedly contained black lip abalone meats, most of which were undersize.
“It will be alleged the abalone were taken illegally from the intertidal reef areas of Kitty Miller Bay.
“The abalone and associated equipment were seized.
“The men will be charged with offences relating to the taking, possessing and trafficking of a commercial quantity of a priority species (abalone) and face substantial penalties including up to 10 years imprisonment.”
Mr Hutton said tackling the indiscriminate harvesting of shellfish from intertidal reefs would be the focus of Operation Mantle, which began last weekend.
“We will be patrolling popular reefs, in uniform and plain clothes, during all hours of the day to apprehend people who threaten the sustainability of our fisheries resources.
“Recreational fishers are reminded that in the Central Zone, which is from the Aire River to Arch Rock and includes Port Phillip and Western Port, abalone may only be taken on every Saturday and Sunday between 16 November 2015 and 30 April 2016, including declared Victorian Public Holidays.
“On these days, the recreational catch limit is five abalone per diver per day.
“Catch limits are individual and a person who has caught their own limit cannot contribute to another person’s catch.
“Divers must carry a measuring device, adhere to minimum sizes, use a blunt instrument and only take abalone from water that is more than 2-metres deep.
“All of these rules are outlined in the Recreational Fishing Guide, available free from most good tackle shops, or by downloading the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones.”
Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call Fisheries Victoria’s 24 hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).