From THE DEPARTYMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

Friday, October 30, 2009

ANGLERS NABBED FOR BIG CATCHES OF WRASSE AND SNAPPER

Four Melbourne men are facing heavy fines after allegedly being caught with 76 wrasse at Rhyll, on Phillip Island, after an anonymous call to the 24-hour offence-reporting line 13-FISH.

At the same time, a 57-year old Narre Warren man was caught with four times the legal limit of snapper during a routine patrol at Patterson Lakes.

It will be alleged the Melbourne men had 38 undersized wrasse among the 76 fish they had
caught while fishing from their boat.

The daily bag limit for wrasse is five per person per day with a minimum size of 23cm (Blue throat) and 27 cm for all other types of wrasse.

The Narre Warren man had 29 kilograms of snapper and four times the legal bag limit for
snapper over 40cm.

All fish, rods and gear were seized from the five men by Fisheries Officers.

The men are facing fines of up to $4500, and forfeiture of all seized gear.

Fisheries Officer Darren DEERING, at Rhyll, said recreational fishers need to be aware of all
catch limits and if found offending, under the Fisheries Act, they are liable to prosecution and the possible seizure of their catch, vessel and fishing equipment.

"As well, the snapper season is a very popular and productive fishery for recreational anglers and the fish move back into Port Phillip Bay to spawn in late spring and early summer,” Mr Deering said.

"The removal of large breeding fish from the bay has a serious impact on the future fish
resources.

"It is important to protect this valuable species from exploitation by adhering to sustainable
fishing practices and following the size and bag limits set out in the Victorian Fishing Guide 2009 / 2010.”

For inquiries please call our DPI customer service centre on 136 186 to obtain a copy of the
fishing guide or visit our website on www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing

To report fisheries offences please dial our 24 hour offence reporting line on 13FISH or 133 474.