A St Albans Park man faces court after allegedly plundering almost four times the legal daily limit of calamari from Port Phillip Bay.
Officers apprehended the man on Monday and seized his boat after observing him exceeding the bag limit of 10 three times, according to Victorian Fisheries Authority.
The man took 17, 33 and 38 calamari on three separate days in October, the authority’s Ian Parks said.
On one day the man made two trips with his wife allegedly taking 17 calamari while out in his 4.35m aluminium boat, Mr Parks said.
This included some from within Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park where fishing is not permitted, he said.
“A week later, the man allegedly took eight calamari in the early morning.
“He returned to the boat ramp to pick up his wife, took another eight, then retrieved his boat and left Queenscliff.
“In the afternoon, he returned with his wife and allegedly took 17 more calamari, making 33 for the day.”
On Monday the man returned, allegedly taking 18 and 20 calamari in two trips with his wife.
“Soon after, Fisheries officers intercepted him at the boat ramp,” Mr Parks said.
“He initially claimed the 20 calamari were all they’d caught that day and were taken by both himself and his wife.
“However, during a subsequent interview the man admitted to taking all the calamari himself and being fully aware of the daily bag limit.”
Officers seized the man’s boat, worth an estimated $7000, fishing gear and calamari on the spot and charged him on summons three counts of exceeding the catch limit.
They also charged the man with various other offences relating to fishing in a marine park and boat safety equipment.
Mr Parks emphasised that fishers could not claim their catch under the bag limit of someone else aboard their boat.
“Furthermore, multi-tripping to exceed the daily catch limit and appear compliant at the boat ramp is a deliberate and serious attempt to deceive and is unfair to legitimate recreational and commercial fishers who abide by the rules.”
Mr Parks urged anyone witnessing suspicious or illegal fishing activity phone 133474 anytime.
