Size matters with snapper
Man charged with fishing offencesA 62 year old man from Clayton (Vic) will be charged on summons for several alleged fishing offences after an inspection of his boat by Fisheries Officers discovered 41 snapper, 23 of which were undersize.
Fisheries Officers observed the boat returning to the Mordialloc boat ramp after dark last on August 27 with one male aboard.
On being approached, the man allegedly dropped a blue mesh bag into Mordialloc Creek, which was later retrieved by Officers and found to contain 31 snapper, the smallest of which measured 24.3cm.
A search of the man's boat revealed a further 10 snapper, which were openly on display.
Fisheries Officers seized the entire catch and the man's fishing rods.
The minimum legal length for snapper is 28cm and the daily bag limit for snapper is 10, of which no more than three can equal or exceed 40cm in length.
In total, the man's catch of 41 snapper is more than four times the bag limit and if convicted he could face fines of up to $5,760.
In addition, hindering fisheries officers in the execution of their duties, by preventing them from inspecting fish catches, is an offence punishable by up to $17,323 or 12 months imprisonment
Fisheries Victoria Director of Education and Enforcement, Ian Parks, said recreational size and bag limits were important fisheries management tools that helped deliver healthy fisheries into the future.
Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to contact the 24-hour fisheries offences reporting line on 13FISH (133 474).
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