Two men nabbed with thirty times the abalone limit

22 February 2018

Two Wonthaggi locals will appear in court, after being apprehended by Victorian Fisheries Authority Officers and Victoria Police with a commercial quantity of abalone.

The 44-year-old and 46-year-old men allegedly took a total of 152 Blacklip abalone, while diving at a remote area of the Wonthaggi Heathlands.

Abalone meats and associated dive equipment were located in the rear of a vehicle, during an inspection by Victorian Fisheries Authority officers on Wednesday 21 February.

The vehicle, equipment and abalone was seized by officers at the time. Unfortunately the abalone had been removed from their shells and were unable to be returned to the water.

The pair will be summonsed and will front court at a later date.

Senior Fisheries Officer, Eric Wiseman said the VFA is committed to detecting, disrupting and dismantling serious and organised fisheries offenders having the greatest impact on the sustainability of the resource.

"The bag/possession limit for abalone in Victorian waters is no more than five, and the penalty for taking a commercial quantity of abalone is up to 5 years imprisonment," Mr Wiseman said.

People who see or suspect illegal fishing activity should call the Fisheries offence reporting line 13FISH (133474).