Fisheries officers have seized a fibreglass boat worth more than $40,000 from a Leopold man who allegedly sold fish taken from Port Phillip to retail outlets.
Victorian Fisheries Authority enforcement and education director Ian Parks said fish were only allowed to be taken for personal consumption, with most recreational fishers doing the right thing.
“Operation Maple targeted the sale of recreationally caught fish, which is illegal. Only licensed commercial fishers are authorised to sell their catch,” Mr Parks said.
“The man allegedly caught King George whiting and calamari on many occasions around Queenscliff, always abiding by the daily catch limits to avoid detection.
“However, subsequent surveillance and investigations by fisheries officers revealed he was allegedly selling the fish to several retail outlets including restaurants and take away food shops.
“Those establishments will face enforcement action too, including referral to food safety regulators.”
Mr Parks said fisheries officers had seized the man’s boat, fish, a sum of cash, a mobile phone and fishing equipment believed to have been used in the alleged offending over several months.
“A retention order was also placed on his car given it was allegedly used to deliver fish for sale,” he said.
“The man will face the Geelong Magistrates Court in coming months on numerous charges of taking fish for sale.”
Mr Parks said it was a timely reminder for recreational fishers that they weren’t allowed to sell their catch.
Businesses that bought fish without documentation that showed a lawful source faced on the spot fines of $900, as well as potential court orders prohibiting them from dealing in seafood.
Suspected illegal fishing can be reported to Fisheries officers by calling 13 FISH (13 3474).
