Jet-ski patrols of Vic snapper anglers

This snapper season, 'Operation Billit' will see Fisheries Officers enforcing catch limits, checking fishing licences and educating anglers about fishing responsibly in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.

In uniform and plain clothes, Officers will patrol from marked and unmarked vessels including jet skis, which are a new addition to the fleet this year.

Inspections will occur aboard anglers’ vessels out on the water and back at boat ramps during the day and night.

Anglers exceeding limits can be issued with on-the-spot fines of $433 per offence.

Anglers concealing illegal snapper aboard should expect to have their vessel seized on the spot. For serious offences, the courts can prohibit anglers from fishing altogether for periods of one year or more.

Fishing sustainably for snapper means following a few simple rules:
>> Abide by the minimum size of 28cm and the bag limit of 10 per person, of which only three can equal or exceed 40cm;
>> Land snapper whole so they can be measured;
>> Do not multi-trip. It is illegal. Multi-tripping involves making several trips in one day, retaining the bag limit each time;
>> Do not fin-clip snapper tails to shorten their length;
>> Fish with no more than four lines per angler.

This snapper season, Fisheries Officers will work closely with Maritime Safety Victoria officers to ensure anglers carry the correct safety equipment in working order and avoid anchoring in shipping channels.

More on Victorian fishing rules and regulation in the Recreational Fishing Guide at http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/fisheries/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-guide.

Photo Credit: Recent snapper shots from gun snapper guide, Captain Matt Cini from Reel Time Charters. See Reel Time Charters.