Operation Trinity nets fisheries offences across Victoria

Fisheries Victoria has just completed Operation Trinity which patrolled popular areas along the Victorian coastline over summer to target shellfish offences in the intertidal zone.

Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria Travis Dowling said the Operation ran between January and March and involved Officers from across Victoria helping local Fisheries Officers.

"This state-wide operation was held during the busy summer period and particularly focussed on weekends in popular fishing spots such as Warrnambool, Mornington, Cowes and bayside Melbourne.

"Fisheries Officers targeted the intertidal zone which is defined as the area starting on the beach at the maximum high water mark to a point where the water is two metres deep at any time.

"The intertidal zone is a very important ecosystem to protect and one that unfortunately due to its ease of access can have its aquatic resources stripped very quickly.

"Officers worked in a variety of ways, patrolling popular areas and talking to anglers educating them about the rules around the intertidal zone, as well as conducting covert surveillance," he said.

"Over eight weekends they handed out both official and verbal warnings, as well as issuing more than 200 infringement notices," he said.

Mr Dowling said the Operation is also likely to result in several future court cases related to the illegal taking of abalone.

"Several instances involved alleged offenders taking over 40 abalone – when the bag limit is five per person.

"Three cases involved individuals taking more than 70, and two with more than 120 abalone.

"This is a serious concern to Fisheries Victoria and if found guilty they face imprisonment, fines of up to $75,000, forfeiture of items as well as being banned from fishing," he said.   

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