Tasmania Police charge pair over late-night raids on marine reserve at Tinderbox

Two people have been charged with using a vessel without permission and numerous fisheries after being accused of setting craypots and fishing in a marine reserve.

Police say there have been a number of offences detected inside and outside marine reserves that have involved the illegal taking of fish including crayfish and abalone. Picture: TOURISM TASMANIA/ROB BURNETT

Two people have been charged with using a vessel without permission and numerous fisheries and MAST offences after being accused of setting craypots and fishing in the Tinderbox Marine Reserve under the cover of darkness.

The pair was apprehended about 11pm on Saturday following an operation involving land and water-based police.

There have been a number of offences detected inside and outside marine reserves that have involved the illegal taking of fish including southern rock lobster and abalone.

Tasmania Police said fish stocks in some areas around the state had been heavily impacted because of some people’s blatant disregard for catch and size limits.

“Marine reserves have been set up to protect this industry into the future,” police said in a statement on social media.

“Fishers must be licensed and be aware of where marine reserves are and what size and catch limits apply.”