Keeping carp has cost an Ocean Grove man $1745 in court.
A Geelong magistrate found the 51-year-old guilty of possessing koi carp, which has been declared to be a noxious aquatic species.
Fisheries Victoria’s Paul Millar said the man was fined $600 for possession, $1000 for failing to provide supplier details to Fisheries Victoria and $145 in court costs.
Fisheries officers searched a property in October 2015, finding a large makeshift pond containing 19 live koi carp.
“A number of polystyrene boxes marked ‘live fish’ were also located, with one box clearly displaying international flight details originating out of Bangkok,” Mr Millar said.
The koi species was an ornamental variety of common carp but it has been ruled as noxious in Victoria for its impact on the environment, he said.
“Common carp are extremely destructive and have contributed to the degradation of numerous Victorian waterways since being introduced.
“They can spread and populate to areas quickly. They out-compete native fish and destroy natural habitat.”
Mr Millar said the fish looked beautiful but posed a significant threat to Victorian waterways.
Possessing any declared noxious aquatic species in Victoria without a permit was illegal, he warned.
Mr Miller urged anyone who saw or suspected illegal fishing activity to phone the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).
