Fisheries officers kept on their toes over long weekend

Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Fisheries officers were kept busy over the June long weekend with four separate instances of alleged offending detected in northern Victoria.

Six men across northern Victoria potentially face significant fines while another man will be charged on summons to appear in Court for the use and or possession of commercial fishing equipment.

Fisheries Northern Region Supervising Fisheries Officer Mike Hosking said its disappointing when some anglers need to be reminded that the use and possession of commercial fishing equipment in Victoria is prohibited, unless specifically authorised to do so.

"The use of this equipment threatens the sustainability of fish populations and aquatic life such as platypus, water rats and other protected species such as waterfowl," Mr Hosking said.

"After receiving a call to 13FISH, Fisheries officers converged on a location on the Campaspe River near Elmore, and after a period of surveillance officers allegedly detected four men using several set lines in an attempt to catch fish.

"In separate incidents both Wodonga and Swan Hill Fisheries officers strategically inspected  vehicles in which mesh nets were discovered, each of the men involved will receive significant on-the-spot fines.

"Meanwhile, late on Monday afternoon between Alexandra and Thornton, officers caught a 39 year old man from Broadmeadows having allegedly set a 20 metre mesh net in the Goulburn River, he was also found to be in possession of two cast nets."

Mr Hosking said this brazen attempt to catch fish could have resulted in the destruction of significant numbers of fish and platypus and we were fortunate to have discovered the man and equipment.

"In this instance the man will be charged on summons with the use and possession of commercial fishing equipment."

Unless authorised, the use and possession of commercial fishing equipment is prohibited in Victoria. Anglers are encouraged to visit www.vic.gov.au/fisheries to find out more information of prohibited equipment in Victoria.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected illegal fishing activities to the 24 hour Fisheries offence reporting line, 13 FISH (13 3474).