September 4th 2024.
A man in Melbourne recently received a hefty fine of $20,000 after being caught fishing for a threatened species of fish. This individual, who is in his 60s, has also been prohibited from fishing for a period of five years and had his ute confiscated due to a series of incidents that occurred in Victoria's north-east and in Melbourne last year. According to Paul Shea, a representative from the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the man was faced with multiple charges for his illegal activities, including the possession of a large number of golden perch from Lake Hume near Albury Wodonga, as well as a commercial quantity of abalone.
It was not the first time the man was caught breaking the law, as he was already serving a two-year prohibition on fishing when he was apprehended by Fisheries Officers. Along with another individual, he was found in possession of more than twice the daily bag limit of golden perch at Lake Hume. At first glance, everything seemed to be in order, as the two presented 10 golden perch as their catch of the day, which was within the legal limit of 5 per person. However, upon further inspection, 12 additional golden perch were discovered hidden on the boat's floor.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority strictly regulates the fishing of golden perch, allowing only those up to 30cm in size to be caught. However, some of the 22 fish found on the boat were up to 60cm long, which is a clear violation of the law. As a result, the man's 5.1m boat was seized, along with all his fishing gear and the illegally caught fish. Further investigations at a property in Melbourne revealed that the man had more than 200 abalone meats in his possession.
In the end, the man pleaded guilty to five charges and was convicted, fined $20,000, and banned from fishing. His 2014 Toyota Hilux, worth $25,000, was also forfeited. Meanwhile, the second individual involved in the incident pleaded guilty to lesser charges earlier this year and was ordered to pay $850 in fines. In a separate but similar case, a couple in their 60s was also convicted and fined $7000, along with an additional $5000 in costs, for illegally selling squid and tailor that they had caught at Queenscliff and Lakes Entrance in Victoria. They were found to have been selling the fish on the street and to a restaurant in Melbourne, which is against the law as only licensed commercial fishers are allowed to sell their catch.
According to Shea, the illegal selling of recreationally-caught fish not only undermines the commercial fishing sector in Victoria but also poses a threat to sustainability. He emphasized that Victoria is home to world-class fisheries that provide sustainable seafood and recreational fishing opportunities, and it is crucial to maintain this status. In an effort to keep the public informed and up-to-date, the Victorian Fisheries Authority has also launched a WhatsApp channel where people can stay informed about the latest news, celebrity updates, and sports news without any comments or algorithms. The best part? Your private details are completely safe and secure.
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