Night patrol nets illegal abalone harvest

26 September 2016

Three men leaving a Mornington Peninsula beach have allegedly been found in possession of 169 abalone, of which more than one third were undersize.

Acting Director of Fisheries Education and Enforcement, Brooke Hall, said the men were apprehended by Fisheries Officers as they left Number 16 Beach at Rye shortly after 11 pm last Thursday.

"An inspection of the men's four wheel drive vehicle revealed the illegal catch," Mr Hall said.

"The men, aged 32, 36 and 40 from Malvern, Mount Waverley and Vermont South were not deterred from fishing in what were cold, rough and windy conditions."

The men will be charged on summons with:

• taking a commercial quantity of abalone during the closed season
• taking abalone from the protected intertidal zone
• taking and possessing undersize abalone
• Taking abalone after sunset.

Fisheries Officers returned all 169 abalone to the water later the same night given they were still in their shell, however their survival rate is uncertain.

Mr Hall said recreational fishers could harvest abalone from Central Victorian waters, but that catch limits, equipment restrictions and a closed season applied to ensure the fishery remained sustainable.

"Fishers may take five abalone per day on nominated open days in Central Victorian waters.

"The minimum legal size is 10cm within Port Phillip Bay and 11cm elsewhere in Central Victorian waters, including Number 16 Beach at Rye."

Other rules apply and are outlined in the Recreational Fishing Guide.

People who see or suspect illegal fishing activity are encouraged to call 13FISH (133474) anytime. In circumstances where officers can't respond to a call, the information provided is valuable and helps plan future patrols.

Photos available upon request.