Four men face charges, another fined for alleged illegal fishing in Port Melbourne
A large catch of allegedly undersized snapper has been seized at Princes Pier, Port Melbourne. Two cars were also seized by fisheries officers.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
An allegedly illegal haul of 119 undersized snapper has been seized by Victorian Fisheries officers near Princes Pier.
Members of the public reported four men they thought were behaving suspiciously on Monday night.
Victorian Fisheries Authority Director of Education and Enforcement Ian Parks said officers conducted surveillance “to identify the four men, aged 18, 39, 42 and 53 from Preston, Thomastown and Roxburgh Park”.
“Two of the men left the fishing spot in a Pajero and were intercepted shortly after by other officers nearby who had been called in,” he said.
“A search of the Pajero revealed 47 snapper, all undersized.”
The daily limit for snapper is 10 per person and no more than three can be 40cm or more.
Mr Parks said fisheries officers took the 47 snapper, two fishing rods and Pajero on the spot. He said they approached two other two men still fishing from the rocks and allegedly saw them throw three fish into a rocky crevice.
“They were retrieved and found to be undersized snapper,” he said.
“During surveillance, officers had observed the men return to the car park so suspected there were more fish in a vehicle, however the duo did not admit to owning a car and said they had travelled by train.”
However, after an identification and registration check officers found a Holden Astra in the car park belonged to one of the men.
“The man then allegedly admitted to owning the car, which was found to contain 72 snapper, all undersized. The fish measured between 17.9cm and 27.4cm,” Mr Parks said.
“Officers seized the snapper, two fishing rods, a cooler and the Astra.”
The four men will be charged on summons with various offences including taking and possessing undersized fish, taking more than the catch limit, and concealing their catch from Fisheries Officers.
MORE NEWS:
MELBOURNE’S SHOCKING HOARDING EPIDEMIC REVEALED
HOW HARRY POTTER AND TOY STORY’S WOODY BUNGLED A BREAK-IN
PENINSULA DRIVERS WARNED BETTER TO BE LATE THAN DEAD ON TIME
In a separate incident at the same place a week before fisheries officers caught a man allegedly in possession of four undersized pinkies, three of which were hidden in an empty crisps packet.
The haul was taken by officers and the man was issued with a $496 fine.
Authorities say the have been receiving a number of reports of juvenile pinkies being caught in Port Phillip and urged people to remember a 28cm size limit applies.
To report suspicious or illegal fishing activity people can call 13FISH (133474).