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      Victorian Fisheries Authority Yesterday at 9:09am ·  Fisheries Officers have nabbed two locals from Wonthaggi with 30 times the abalone limit!
The men allegedly took 152 blacklip abalone while diving in a remote area of Wonthaggi Heathlands. The bag limit is no more than 5.
On inspecting their vehicle, abalone meats and diving equipment were discovered. 
Unfortunately, as the abalone had been removed from their shells, they were unable to be returned to the water.
The vehicle, equipment and abalone were seized and the pair willface court at a later date.
The penalty for taking commercial quantities of abalone is up to 5 years imprisonment. 
If you see or suspect illegal fishing call 13FISH (13 3474). You can remain anonymous.

    Crab pot surveillance nets 25 offenders   FISHERIES QUEENSLAND·TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 A 12-month Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) surveillance operation in North Queensland has resulted in 25 people being charged with interfering with crab pot apparatus. QBFP North Queensland District Manager Glenn Shiels said the operation, which finished in January 2018, targeted Ingham, Townsville, Airlie Beach and Mackay following complaints from recreational and commercial fishers alleging interference with crab pot apparatus. “This surveillance operation demonstrates QBFP’s focus on the detection of interference with crabbing apparatus across Queensland,” Mr Shiels said. “The operation resulted in 22 infringement notices being issued with fines totalling $27,490 whilst three offenders received official cautions. “A total of 10 offences were detected in Townsville, nine in Mackay, five in Airlie Beach and one in Ingham.” Mr Shiels said it was an offence for a person to interfere with crab apparatus which do not belong to the person and this included disturbing or lifting the apparatus. “Under Fisheries regulations, stealing fishing apparatus you didn’t set, including crab pots, is a criminal offence and those caught will be referred to the police,” Mr Shiels said. “On the spot penalties for crabbing-related offences include fines ranging from $252 to $504 for undersized crabs and excess possession limits to $1261 for interfering with crabbing apparatus. “Maximum penalties can exceed $126,000.” Mr Shiels said interference with crab pots was an issue across Queensland and a high percentage of fisheries complaints received by QBFP related to crab pot interference. “The problem occurs in waterways across Queensland and an increased incidence of crab pot interference occurs near higher population centres,” Mr Shiels said. “QBFP conducts targeted operations, which include the use of sophisticated covert camera technology, to ensure compliance with fisheries regulations in response to community concerns and specific intelligence information. “Crab fishers are also encouraged to take responsibility for monitoring their own fishing apparatus and to ensure pots and dillies are marked correctly with the owner’s name and address.” If you suspect illegal fishing, whether seen in person or online, report it to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116. Don’t engage with the person, as this can compromise an investigation. For more information on Queensland’s fishing regulations, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free ‘Qld Fishing’ app from Apple and Google app stores. Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@FisheriesQld). Malcolm White LikeShow more reactions CommentShareSave

    Commercial fisher fined $12,000   FISHERIES QUEENSLAND·WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 A North Queensland commercial fisher has been fined $12,000 after being found guilty of four complaints comprising 19 charges under the Fisheries Act 1994. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol District Officer Dan Sweeney said the defendant pleaded guilty last month to all four matters in the Cairns Magistrates Court. “The four matters involved a variety of offences including taking or possessing regulated fish for trade or commerce, interfering with a fishing apparatus, and failing to comply with an information requirement,” Mr Sweeney said. “The offences occurred at the Cromarty Creek boat ramp at Giru, south of Townsville in June 2016, in Redbank Creek near Cairns in August 2016 and near Princess Charlotte Bay in November 2016. “QBFP officers found the defendant in possession of 12 undersized male mud crabs, a female mud crab and 28 mud crab claws. “Officers also detected the defendant interfering with a crab pot not owned by him and found that he had failed to complete his Queensland East Coast Net and Crab Logbook.” Mr Sweeney said the fines imposed by the court acknowledged the seriousness of the offences. “The fines imposed reinforce the need for fishers to be aware of and abide by the rules and regulations when fishing in fresh and tidal waters,” Mr Sweeney said. “Penalties for crabbing-related offences include on-the-spot fines which range from $252 for undersized crabs and excess possession limits to $1261 for interfering with crabbing apparatus whilst on the spot penalty for failing to comply with an information requirement is $504. “The Queensland Recreational Boating and Fishing Guide provides a comprehensive guide of boating and fishing rules and responsibilities, and is available at www.daf.qld.gov.au.” If you suspect illegal fishing, whether seen in person or online, report it to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116. Do not engage with the person, as this can compromise an investigation. For more information on Queensland’s fishing regulations, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free ‘Qld Fishing’ app from Apple and Google app stores. Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@FisheriesQld).

      NSW DPI Fisheries February 22 at 5:00pm ·  NSW DPI Fisheries Officers are reminding fishers that it is illegal to pick up fishing gear that's not theirs. Not only is it illegal, it could be dangerous. Fisheries officers have encountered fish hooks set into ropes of set fishing gear, on a number of occasions over the past year. Some of this fishing gear was marked as crab traps. The most recent encounter was on the Hastings River and involved one unmarked and one marked crab trap. The hooks were set into the rope and had been there for some time.  NSW DPI strongly advises fishers not to 'man' trap their set fishing gear. You could cause injury to a person who has a lawful reason to inspect the fishing gear and that could see the Police getting involved.  Remember, if it’s not your fishing gear, don’t touch it! For more information on current the fishing rules visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fish…/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs or download the free FishSmart NSW app from Google Play at: http://bit.ly/2hO7jLZ or the iTunes App Store at https://appsto.re/au/FY3gbb.i To report illegal fishing activity call Fishers Watch on 1800 043536 or online at  www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishi…/compliance/report-illegal-activity.

    Fisheries WA February 22 at 4:03pm ·  A recreational fisher has been fined nearly $5,000 after being caught with 22 traps during the marron closed season. He had set the traps the evening before, and caught six marron from the Wellington Dam, which he cooked and consumed.  The man admitted that he was aware the use of traps to fish for marron was prohibited. He was also ordered to forfeit the traps, marron and other equipment. More details at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/…/Using-illegal-traps-and-fishing…