Illegal fishing charges by Trio faces
Three men will be charged with illegally netting a huge haul of fish from Port Phillip Bay.
Fisheries officers found 832 fish in two vehicles intercepted on the Nepean Highway in Carrum and Edithvale in Melbourne's southeast on Monday morning.
They said 709 fish, which were captured in an illegal net off Carrum, were under size.
None of the fish, which included black bream, Australian salmon, yellow eye mullet, garfish and flounder, could be returned to the sea.
Fisheries officers will allege a 37-year-old Hallam man had 219 fish in a nylon bag in his car.
Two men in a second car, a 58-year-old from Eltham North and a 43-year-old from Coburg, had 613 fish and a 50-metre net, which was seized.
One of the cars was also seized.
Senior Fisheries Officer Dave Green said the alleged offences showed a blatant disregard for the marine environment.
'To have such a large quantity of undersize fish killed can be devastating to the sustainability of any ecosystem,' Mr Green said.
The trio will be charged on summons with using commercial fishing equipment without authority, an offence attracting a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and six months' jail.
Anyone who suspects or sees illegal fishing activity should call 24-hour reporting line, 13-FISH (13 3474).Read More ...
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