Fine for using mesh nets at Lake Tyers

02 February 2018

A Lakes Entrance man has been convicted and fined for exceeding the catch limit for bream, attempting to bribe authorised officers and escaping from lawful custody in the Bairnsdale Magistrates Court this week.

Victorian Fisheries Authority Regional Fisheries Manager Bill McCarthy, said the vehicle and equipment used by the man and two other people he was with to try and net fish, was also forfeited.

In late 2017 fisheries officers observed the three people near Lake Tyers setting a monofilament mesh net across the Toorloo Arm Bridge on the Princess Highway.

The trio was intercepted by officers, and during their interactions the officers uncovered the set mesh net under the Toorloo Arm Bridge which contained 48 bream, two luderick and 11 mullet.

During their discussions with the group the male and another male absconded and were found several hours later by officers at the accused residential address.

The male was convicted of attempting to bribe a public official, escape from lawful custody of a person, using commercial fishing equipment and using commercial fishing equipment to
take more than the catch limit. The vehicle involved was also forfeited and they were fined $850 with a further $257.50 in costs.

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing is urged to call the 24-hour reporting line 13FISH (133474), anytime.

Quotes attributable to Mr McCarthy

"This type of activity is detrimental to the long-term sustainability of our fisheries resources."

"This net had been in the water for a short period of time had netted and killed a large number of fish due to
its destructive nature."

"It's very disappoint that we continue to find people who are prepared to engage in illegal netting with
blatant disregard for the environment and our local community."

Media contact: Mel Curtis 0402 001 853