Media release
Thursday, 11 May 2023
PROTECTING PORT PHILLIP ABALONE STOCKS FOR ALL
The prosecution process resulting from the apprehension late last year of two people near Point Wilson who had more than 10 times the limit of abalone was finalised last week in the Geelong Magistrates Court.
Victorian Fisheries Authority Director of Education and Enforcement Ian Parks said disrupting and dismantling the illegal take of abalone remains a high priority for Fisheries Officers.
“The excessive take of abalone from our bays and along the coast risks the sustainability of the fishery and the health of consumers who expect seafood they buy to have been handled with care and be in good condition for the table,” Mr Parks said.
Abalone are popular with recreational divers and are Victoria’s second most valuable commercial fishery behind rock lobster.
The apprehension of the man and woman occurred in December 2022, when Fisheries Officers boarded their six-metre boat as part of a routine patrol.
A search of the boat revealed two intricate concealments of more abalone onboard, the first containing 71 freshly shucked (removed from shell) and 18 whole abalone.
The second concealment contained 17 whole abalone, making a total of 116 including the 10 abalone initially presented to officers.
The pair were escorted back to the Werribee boat ramp where officers seized their dive gear, catch and boat, and returned all the whole abalone to the water alive.
Last week they were convicted, the man fined $2,000 and the woman directed to make a $1,000 donation to the court fund. The magistrate ordered their boat, estimated to be worth $55,000, and all of their dive gear to be forfeited. In addition, both received a two-year prohibition on abalone fishing, possessing abalone or being involved in abalone processing.
If you see or suspect illegal fishing in Victoria, call our 24/7 reporting service, 13FISH (133474), to speak directly to a Fisheries Officer. You can remain anonymous.
Media contact: Joel Peterson 0436 623 647
