Pipi poaching pair fined for illegal haul

11 December 2018

Two Melbourne based men have been convicted and fined $2000 each, plus costs, after being caught with 60kg of pipis in Victoria’s far west.

The fines were handed down in Portland Magistrates Court earlier this month where the men were each found guilty of taking fish for sale and using commercial fishing equipment without authority.

Portland Fisheries Officers intercepted the men at Swan Lake, near Discovery Bay, in March of this year.

They were driving an all-terrain vehicle, dressed in wetsuits and were in possession of their illegal catch along with fishing nets.

At the time, they claimed they were fishing for a commercial fisherman, however this was later formally denied.

Fisheries Officers seized the pipis, nets and vehicle on the spot.

Victorian Fisheries Authority Director of Enforcement and Education Ian Parks reminded all recreational pipi fishers to stick to the rules.

“Anyone wanting to fish for pipis must be appropriately licensed and keep to the catch limit of five litres per person per day.

“These rules are in place to ensure our valuable fisheries remain sustainable.”

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing can make a report using our 24-hour line 13FISH (133474).