St Kilda Boat Sales - Snapper bonanza backed by compliance blitz
27 November 2010
Snapper bonanza backed by compliance blitz
Victorian Fisheries officers issued more than 50 fines to recreational anglers on the weekend as part of a wide ranging blitz to enforce snapper bag limits and other regulations.
Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Anthony Hurst, said all the indications were that the snapper season was showing great promise, with good quantities of fish between 3-5kg and a good run of smaller fish in the 1-2kg range.
'Victorian anglers can enjoy a world class fishery due to favourable conditions and sustainable fisheries management,' Mr Hurst said.
'The future of the fishery depends on everyone who targets snapper, whether recreationally or commercially, understanding their rights and responsibilities.'
However, Mr Hurst said, intensive patrols by Fisheries officers on the weekend found some anglers had succumbed to the temptation of taking more than their fair share of snapper.
'We had extra officers and two extra boats patrolling Port Phillip Bay last weekend and the sad fact is some people went to great lengths to take more than their fair share,' Mr Hurst said.
'Our officers inspected 520 anglers and detected 57 offenders, with several matters destined for the courts.
'In two cases the offending was considered serious enough to warrant prosecution and those involved will be charged on summons.
'As a result of those cases approximately $3,100 worth of fishing rods were seized.'
Mr Hurst said Fisheries Victoria would continue to direct resources to fishing hot spots to ensure anglers were keeping within the limits designed to ensure sustainable fishing.
'Many anglers are catching their daily bag limit in a short time this season,' Mr Hurst said. Mr Hurst said the current minimum legal length for snapper was 28cm and the daily bag limit was ten fish, of which only three may equal or exceed 40cm.
'Fisheries Officers regularly patrol popular boat ramps and are well aware of the most productive areas of the Bay,' he said.
'Recreational anglers are also reminded it is illegal to sell or trade their catch.
'Anglers found exceeding catch limits or selling their catch face significant fines.'
Anyone observing anglers exceeding their catch limits or multi-tripping can report vehicle or vessel details to Fisheries Victoria’s 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).
All information will be treated in strict confidence and will assist in planning patrols and enforcement operations when no immediate field response is possible.
http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries
News article written by Alan Everett - Victorian Department of Primary Industry