13FISH call nets illegal cockle haul at Mallacoota

31 March 2016

A phone call to 13FISH has helped Fisheries Officers apprehend two men allegedly in possession of five times the catch limit of blood cockles at Mallacoota, over Easter.

Fisheries Victoria's Director of Enforcement and Education, Ian Parks, said the two men were intercepted by Fisheries Officers and Victoria Police as their boat returned to the Main Wharf in Mallacoota on Sunday.

"An inspection of their boat revealed 50 litres of blood cockles," Mr Parks said.

The daily catch limit is five litres per person.

A further search of the men's vehicle also revealed one undersize black bream.

The two men, aged 33 from St Albans and 47 from Braybrook, will receive on-the-spot fines totalling $1365 for allegedly exceeding the catch limit and taking undersize fish.

They will also receive three on-the-spot fines from Victoria Police for alleged offences relating to the Marine Act including not wearing life jackets and vessel registration.

Mr Parks said reports of illegal fishing activity from the community played an integral part of their compliance strategy and helped to plan undercover, plain-clothed and uniformed patrols, day and night.

In this instance, Fisheries Officers were participating in a joint operation over Easter with Victoria Police and Parks Victoria, throughout far East Gippsland.

People are encouraged to call 13FISH (133474) to report illegal fishing anywhere in Victoria, anytime.