Hefty fines for Melburnians busted with large quantities of abalone near Inverloch

Six people from Melbourne have received hefty fines for taking commercial quantities of abalone on the Bass Coast.

Six people have been fined more than $1000 for taking commercial quantities of abalone in the Bass Coast. Picture: Supplied

Six people have each been fined more than $1000 for taking commercial quantities of abalone in the Bass Coast.

Victorian Fisheries Authority officers were called to Eagles Nest in Inverloch on December 12, 2020 after four people were spotted taking abalone from the intertidal zone within the Bunurong Marine Park.

After a search of the group’s three vehicles, officers uncovered 37 blacklip abalone in which 20 were undersized.

Each person received a fine of more than $1300.

On December 13, officers were called to Shack Bay where they discovered two bags hidden under the floor in the rear of a vehicle.

The two bags contained 44 blacklip abalone in which 28 were undersized.

The two men received fines of more than $1800.

A Victorian Fisheries Authority spokeswoman told The Bass Coast News all offenders were from Melbourne.

“It is naturally busier over the summer period, however Fisheries Officers report that most abalone fishers are experienced divers who know the rules and do the right thing,” she said.

“Over the busy summer period there will be more occurrences of abalone poaching, or inexperienced fishers who are unaware of or confused about rules surrounding the intertidal zone.”

In both incidents, the abalone were returned to the water where they were taken.

If you see or suspect illegal fishing call Fisheries’ reporting line 13FISH (133474) anytime.

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