A MAN and woman pleaded guilty to a number of fisheries offences and were fined $6500 at the Bairnsdale Magistrates Court last week.
The pair was caught with 112 litres of mussels and two trammel nets more than 100 metres long, at the Metung Yacht Club last August. They pleaded guilty to charges of taking and possessing more than the catch limit for mussels, and possessing multiple trammel nets.
The male has been handed a fine of $3500 and the female has also received a fine of $3000, as part of an aggregate order.
Victorian Fisheries Authority prosecutor Matt Bateson said it was prohibited for anyone to possess a trammel net anywhere in Victoria.
“There is also a 10 litres per person catch limit for mussels,” he said.
“The actions of individuals wishing to behave in this manner has a very negative impact on both the environment and fish stocks in Gippsland.”
Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing can phone the 24-hour reporting line 13FISH (133 474).
For more information about catch limits and permitted equipment, download the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones or obtain a free Recreational Fishing Guide, available online.
