Operator fined nearly $30,000 for undeclared rock lobster

12 April 2017

Portland Senior Fisheries Officer Charlie Cooper said the man was the owner/operator of a commercial rock lobster licence operated from Portland.

"The man was detected by Portland Fisheries Officers in November 2015 failing to correctly record and report his rock lobster catch.

"Investigations revealed that he had failed to declare his catch on a total of nine fishing days in September and November, 2015," Mr Cooper said.

"The total amount of undeclared rock lobster was 107.5 kilograms which he sold for $9,653."

Mr Cooper said the court found the man guilty on 76 charges and his company on 42 charges.

The charges related to his failure to correctly record and report his commercial rock lobster catch to the rock lobster quota management system.

Members of the public are encouraged to call 13 FISH (13 3474) to report illegal fishing anywhere in Victoria, anytime.