Illegal Fishing Bust

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Media release: Two cases of illegal trout fishing detected at Buxton
29 Apr 13 - Victoria DPI

In two separate incidents, Fisheries Victoria officers have allegedly detected a 68-year-old Thomastown man and a 62-year-old man from Avondale Heights exceeding their daily bag limit of five trout and using prohibited bait.

Both men are expected to be charged on summons by Fisheries officers from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) following the alleged recent incidents at the Stevenson and Little Stevenson Rivers at Buxton in North East Victoria.

Fisheries officers observed one of the men allegedly bait his hook with the trout ova, which is a prohibited bait, and then cast his line into the Little Stevenson River.

On another occasion, a man was apprehended by officers after an inspection of his tackle bag revealed 30 rainbow trout, 25 more than the daily bag limit of five trout.

If found guilty, both men could receive significant fines and may face criminal convictions and forfeiture of any fishing equipment seized.

Regional Fisheries Officer Mike Hosking said that Department of Environment and Primary Industries Fisheries officers would be actively patrolling northern Victoria's waterways over the coming months, particularly during the salmonid season.

"Breeching fishing regulations will not be tolerated, and Fisheries officers will not hesitate to prosecute those people caught," Mr Hosking said.

"Fisheries Victoria is committed to the sustainability of the state's fisheries and to ensure there is fair and equitable sharing of these valuable resources for all Victorians."

Members of the public are asked to remain vigilant for suspected illegal fishing activities and are urged to report activities to the 24-hour fisheries offence reporting line 13FISH (13 3474).