Snapper crooks nabbed
Two men charged with taking dozens of undersized fishA call to the 13 FISH offence reporting line recently helped Fisheries Victoria officers detect two Melbourne men aged 24 and 27 allegedly with undersize snapper at St Helens, north of Geelong.
Director of Enforcement and Education with Fisheries Victoria Ian Parks said the Officers stopped the men’s car at approximately 8:30pm on January 14.
"They allegedly located 55 snapper in their boot, of which only one met the legal minimum size of 28 centimetres," Mr Parks said.
He said the fish were seized by Officers and the two men are expected to be charged on summons under the Fisheries Act.
"They will be charged with four separate offences, including taking or possessing fish less than the minimum size and taking or possessing more than the catch limit," Mr Parks said.
"Each offence can attract a fine of $443.
"This case is particularly serious and disappointing due to the excessive number of fish taken and that nearly all were under the legal size."
Mr Parks said members of the public are reminded that size and bag limits apply to many fish species across Victoria.
"The minimum size for snapper is 28 centimetres, and the daily bag limit is 10, of which only three snapper may be larger than 40 centimetres," he said.
For more information about fishing regulations go to www.depi.vic.gov.au/fisheries or download the free Vic Fishing app for smartphones.
Anybody who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour fisheries offence reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).
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