Boat seized for catch limit breach in Victoria

Three Victorian fishermen got more than they bargained for on a recent outing off Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, when the Victorian Fisheries Authority seized their boat, catch and fishing gear due to the trio’s illegally large haul of King George whiting.

According to VFA’s Director of Education and Enforcement, Ian Parks, the men were seen at St Leonards retrieving their boat after catching a quantity of whiting, travelling to a nearby house, and then relaunching their boat to continue fishing in the same spot.

“The three men returned to the boat ramp in the early evening and were intercepted by Fisheries Officers a short time later, back at the nearby house, where they presented a quantity of whiting for inspection,” Mr Parks said.

“Enquiries saw more whiting produced from the house and confirmed as catch from that day. In total, the three men had allegedly taken 68 whiting over two trips on the same day, with one allegedly catching 38. The daily bag limit for King George whiting is 20 per person.

“All fish, fishing gear and the boat were seized on the spot.

“Recreational fishers are reminded that bag limits are personal; you can’t catch fish on behalf of others, and it is illegal to sell your catch.”

The interception then led to illegitimate hauls of both King George whiting (25kg) and calamari (58kg) being uncovered at a restaurant in Lygon Street, in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton.

“The whiting and calamari could not be substantiated as commercially sourced product and were seized by Fisheries Officers,” Mr Parks said.

“It will be alleged a document to account for the whiting was falsely created by a seafood wholesaler at the request of the restaurant.

“The proprietor and company associated with the restaurant will face charges relating to the sale of recreationally taken fish, providing false documents and information, and other significant offences under the Fisheries Act. A seafood wholesaler will also face charges relating to the creation of a false document connected to the whiting.”

The VFA says that while the vast majority of fishers abide by the relevant catch limits, illegal fishing can have a devastating impact on fish stocks. To report any suspected illegal fishing in Victoria, call 13FISH (133 474).