From the Department of Primary Industries

Monday, July 21, 2008

TWO ALLEGED ABALONE THIEVES NETTED NEAR COLAC

Two Melbourne men will be charged on summons after Fisheries Officers from Apollo Bay
seized a total of 116 abalone hidden in a car, yesterday morning near Colac.

Fisheries Officer, Stephen Eddy, said it would be alleged the men travelled from Melbourne to Victoria’s west coast, planning to take the quantity of abalone which weighed almost 16 kilograms.

“The recreational bag limit was reduced to five a day in October 2006 and catches of this nature place the resource at serious risk.

“These men will be charged with offences including taking and possessing more than twice the legal catch limit and they could be facing heavy fines or even 12 months’ jail.

“Their car was intercepted on the Lavers Hill-Colac Road as the alleged offenders were heading away from the coast. They were arrested and interviewed at the Colac Police station.

“Their car and all their diving equipment were seized.”

Members of the public are invited to use the 24 hour reporting line, 13- FISH (13-3474) to report any illegal fishing activities.