Cape Schanck: Illegal abalone harvesting operation broken up by officers
Officers were on the money when they smelled something fishy going on at a popular coastal spot. Here’s how they saved nearly 400 abalone and arrested five men allegedly involved in the operation.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Almost 400 abalone were saved after a not-so-sophisticated illegal farming operation was busted by police and fisheries officers last week on the Mornington Peninsula.
Five men were arrested at Cape Schanck for allegedly taking nearly 400 blacklip abalone from waters off the popular destination.
Victorian Fisheries Authority director of education and enforcement Ian Parks said the highly organised illegal fishing syndicate from Pakenham, Cranbourne East and Botanic Ridge were apprehended by 12 Fisheries Officers from three stations with support from Victoria Police.
“Officers observed four of the men walk from a Cape Schanck car park down to the rocks, leaving one of the men at the car park as a lookout,” Mr Parks said.
“When the four men returned to their Commodore and allegedly put a large bag of abalone in the boot, Fisheries Officers swooped in numbers.
“All five of the alleged offenders ran away, some not making it far and others hiding in dense scrub nearby until being located and arrested.”
A bag in the boot of the car allegedly contained 315 of the blacklip abalone, however, officers who had done surveillance on the men suspected they had harvested more.
They went down to where the men had been diving to search.
“They allegedly found two more bags containing another 84 abalone, making 399 in total, 263 of which were undersized,” Mr Parks said.
“Fisheries Officers returned all the abalone to the water alive and Victoria Police transported the men to the Rosebud Police Station.”
MORE NEWS:
AGED CARE SCAMMERS TARGET BAYSIDE’S ELDERLY
SEARCH FOR LIFE-SAVING DOCTOR AFTER BEAUMARIS CRASH
THE STATE OF PLAY WITH LOCAL MELBOURNE SPORT
Mr Parks said the five men will front court to face charges under the Fisheries Act including taking and possessing a commercial quantity of a priority species, trafficking a commercial quantity of a priority species, and obstructing and hindering authorised officers.
“I commend all the Fisheries Officers involved in this case for their extensive and professional work to stop this well organised and slick crew of illegal fishers from stealing aquatic natural resources that belong to the Victorian community.”
To report suspicious or illegal fishing activity call 13FISH (133474) anytime. You can remain anonymous. Make the call and make the difference.