Glenroy man charged with taking undersize snapper

02 July 2018

A 65-year-old man from Glenroy recently appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court charged with taking undersize fish from the Geelong area earlier this year.

Acting Regional Manager Operations, David Burgess said Fisheries Officers originally inspected the man early in the evening and found him in possession of eight undersize snapper and one undersize bream, which ranged in size from 19.8 to 25.9 cm. The minimum size for snapper and bream is 28cm.

"After he was interviewed the man returned to fishing and was later inspected again and found in possession of another undersize snapper."

Mr Burgess said the Court was told the man had a record of 10 previous accounts of prior conduct relating to taking undersize fish and other fisheries offences stretching back to 2008.

He said as part of the submission to the court the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) requested that the presiding Magistrate impose a prohibition order on the man to stop him from fishing.

After a plea of guilty the man was fined $1,000 and $193 costs and prohibited from recreational fishing for two months.

Mr Burgess said however, much to the surprise of Fisheries Officers, the man was caught allegedly recreationally fishing the very next day at Cunningham Pier.

As a result, his fishing rods were seized and he will be charged on summons in relation to breaching a prohibition order under section 130AA of the Fisheries Act.

Mr Burgess said it is disappointing to see some people have such disregard for the State's fishing rules, which are in place to ensure our fisheries are managed sustainably.

Anyone with information relating to illegal fishing is encouraged to ring the illegal fishing reporting number on 13FISH (133474), anytime.