From the Department of Primary Industries

Thursday 8 May, 2008

BOAT SEIZED AT NEWPORT AFTER TIP-OFF FROM THE PUBLIC

A Deer Park man has had his boat seized and will be charged on summons after being intercepted in Newport by Fisheries Victoria officers with more than 40 fish.

Fisheries Victoria Director of Field Services Mick Hodder said the man was intercepted on
Sunday night after a call from a member of the public to the Fisheries Victoria offence reporting hotline 13 FISH.

“The man had more than 40 snapper and trevally on board, with the majority found by fisheries officers in a hidden compartment in the floor of the vessel,” Mr Hodder said.

“A boat, trailer and fishing equipment were seized and the man will be charged on summons for offences including exceeding the catch limit and taking undersize fish.”

The catch limit for snapper is 10 (with no more than three exceeding 40cm in length). The catch limit for trevally is 20 with a minimum legal size of 20cm.

“Catch limits are in place to ensure our fisheries remain sustainable and can be enjoyed by
everyone, both now and for the future. The member of the public who contacted the 13 FISH reporting hotline is to be praised for their actions,” Mr Hodder said.

Members of the public can help support the work of Fisheries Officers by providing information about suspicious fishing activity, including time, date, location, number of people involved, vehicle registrations and descriptions of activity and equipment used, to 13 FISH.

The reporting hotline 13 FISH (13 3474) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.