Media release: Outraged onlookers report alleged calamari thieves

[fishingvic]

Media Release
Friday, 10 March, 2017| Media contact: Alan Everett (03) 5624 2341

www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
Outraged onlookers report alleged calamari thieves

Outraged onlookers called Fisheries’ 24 hour reporting line several times as they watched a man and woman allegedly take almost four times the legal limit of calamari at Mornington Pier yesterday.

The callers told the 13-FISH line the couple had been fishing at the pier since early on Thursday morning.
The reports suggested the alleged offenders were taking fish back to their vehicle and hiding the excess catch inside.
Later in the morning Fisheries Officers intercepted the couple and located a total of 78 calamari in various different bags in different locations inside the vehicle.
Yesterday’s alleged offenders will be charged on summons and face penalties of up to $3109 each.
Fisheries Officers back at the same pier this morning spoke to two men who claimed 20 calamari, overtly displayed in their vehicle, was their total catch for the day.

However the officers allegedly found a further 46 calamari hidden in the spare wheel well of the vehicle.

Both men had their fishing equipment and all the calamari seized, and both will be charged on summons.
Fisheries Officer, Ashley Virgona, said there are plenty of calamari to be caught on the Mornington Peninsula at the moment.
“But anglers should not be greedy because the limits are in place to ensure fishing stocks remain viable and sustainable,” he said.
“The daily catch limit for squid, octopus and cuttlefish is 10 per person, and anyone found exceeding the catch limit will face significant penalties.”
Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).

[Nude up]

I would have taken their car and their wallets and made them walk home in their underwear

[gregmaka]

I never thought that Mornington pier was a hot spot for squid ,must be the nice warm weather.Its a shame some people take advantage and over catch fish.WHAT WERE THEY THINKING.DID THEY SEE DOLLAR SIGNS OR SOMETHING.They must have thought all their Christmas's come at once. I hope they get a lengthy ban on fishing,on top of the fines.

[HyperX]

might as well as do licence checks on everyone. I'm rather curious to how many people fish without a licence. especially since mornington is a popular place for day-trip fisherman

[Kadmium]

Make a nice burley slick and put em out on drum lines.

[Lightningx]

I would have taken their car and their wallets and made them walk home in their underwear

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[4liters]

mmm yummy imagine how good squid would taste after spending a hot afternoon in a car stuffed in the spare wheel well... what on earth were they thinking??

it isn't like squid are rare or hard to catch either

[rb85]

Should also be provisions to ban people from fishing fora certain time on top of fines. It's not as if this is accidental.

[4liters]

Should also be provisions to ban people from fishing fora certain time on top of fines. It's not as if this is accidental.

they do this already

[rb85]

That's a good thing