Alleged illegal netters to be entangled in court cases

18 August 2017

Two trammel nets, both more than 100 metres long, have been seized by Fisheries Officers at Metung in East Gippsland.

There is a total prohibition on the possession and use of trammel nets in Victoria.

A trammel net comprises three panels, the middle panel is fine mesh, the outer two are of larger mesh. A fish entering will pass the fine mesh through the larger mesh and get pocketed.

It will be alleged that two men and two women were involved in an illegal netting operation using the nets, and also exceeding the catch limit for mussels.

They were intercepted by Gippsland Water Police and, after various alleged fisheries offences were identified, Fisheries Officers were called in.

The four allegedly had used the two nets, one was 103 meters long, the second 106 metres.

Acting Senior Fisheries Officer Matt Bateson said the nets were damp, had fresh weed in them and live spider crabs.

The four were also in possession of 112 litres of mussels that had been collected from the marina near the yacht club in Metung.

The daily catch limit for mussels is 10 litres per person.
Fisheries Officers seized a small aluminium vessel , boat trailer, the trammel nets and a large amount of assorted fishing equipment.

The mussels were returned to the water.

The four will be charged with various offences and summonsed to appear at the Bairnsdale Magistrates court.

"It's disappointing to see that people have a blatant disrespect for our fisheries resources and our environment," Mr Bateson said.

"Trammel nets are totally prohibited due to their non-selective and extremely efficient catch rate.

"They are not something we want in our waterways because anything that comes near them is at risk of being entangled."

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24 hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).

Media Contact: Alan Everett  Phone: 0409 255 140