From the Department of Primary Industries

2 November 2007

Gaol threat for ALLEGED poacher

A Noble Park man faces the prospect of going to gaol after being intercepted on the Mornington Peninsula with abalone allegedly concealed in his vehicle.

The man who is currently on a one month suspended gaol sentence for recent abalone offences was again observed with an alleged co-offender, harvesting abalone after dark.

As part of a recent Fisheries offensive against the taking of abalone after dark, their vehicle was pulled over and searched, with the abalone allegedly found under the front passenger seat.

Also netted in the crack down across Port Phillip Bay and Mornington Peninsula back beaches were nine other individuals who will face a series of abalone charges.

Two men will be charged with indictable offences relating to the taking and possessing of a commercial quantity of abalone after 292 shucked abalone were found in their vehicle.

Fisheries Operation Manager, Scott Falconer, said the crackdown involved members of Victoria police and Fisheries Officers from Mornington and Gippsland

All of the alleged offenders will face charges of taking abalone during a closed season, taking abalone after sunset, harvesting abalone from the protected intertidal zone, and taking more than twice the catch limit of abalone with commercial fishing equipment.

“Abalone offences carry very serious penalty provisions, if people think that by coming down here during the middle of the night they stand a better chance of being undetected they should think again,” Mr Falconer said.

“Fisheries Victoria is committed to protecting our valuable commercial and recreational Fisheries and their long term sustainability.”

Anybody wishing to report Fisheries Offences should contact the 24 hour fisheries hotline 13FISH – 13 3474.