Crackdown sends message to abalone thieves

04 February 2026

Fisheries Officers have sent a strong message to abalone poachers following a crackdown at Altona and Williamstown over the Australia Day long weekend.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said while many of the fishers and divers spoken to over the three-day break were doing the right thing, a significant number of fisheries offences were also detected.

“We’re serious about protecting Victoria’s valuable wild abalone stocks so they can be managed sustainably for future generations to enjoy,” Mr Dowling said.

“The long weekend compliance effort is a great example of how we’re mobilising resources from across the state to tackle serious fisheries crime and high-level offending wherever it’s occurring.

“Fisheries Officers from our Queenscliff, Mornington and Cowes stations provide great coverage of Port Phillip and Western Port and are often supported by other staff we bring in when required for targeted operations at peak times,” Mr Dowling said.

Some of the more serious offences included a person with 55 abalone, another person with 38 abalone (19 of which were undersize), two people with 37 abalone (21 of which were undersize) and a person with 33 abalone.
A total of 80 offenders were detected over the long weekend with five people in four separate incidents to be charged on summons.

22 infringement notices and 74 warnings were also issued for other offences detected.

Recreational divers are reminded that the daily bag limit for abalone is 5 during the open season in Central Victorian Waters, and the minimum size in Port Phillip is 10cm.

The VFA encourages anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing to call our 13FISH (133474) line to speak directly to a Fisheries Officer. Callers can remain anonymous. Make the call and make the difference.

For more information on recreational abalone fishing, including bag and size limits, permitted equipment, and open season dates in Central Victorian Waters, visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/abalone or download the FREE VicFishing app.