Fishing Report – March 1, 2018

ANGLESEA

» Some good catches of pinkies have been reported but spasmodic at best
» The occasional flathead has been caught
» Whiting are scarce and few in numbers.

BARWON HEADS

» The river reports have slowed but salmon, trevally and the odd King George whiting have been reported
» Catches of flathead, snapper and pinkies continue offshore
» Some gummy shark have been reported.

TORQUAY

» Reports of snapper are still coming in from those that manage to get out
» Flathead and King George whiting are still on the go both in close and off the beaches
» Reports of salmon being caught off most local beaches continue
» The occasional gummy shark catch has been reported
» Spring Creek continues to produce some bream.

Remember Torquay Tackle and Sports. For all the best available advice in Torquay on tackle and bait, drop in at the store and see Ross or Josh to ensure you get the most up-to-date information available. Phone 5264 8207.

QUEENSCLIFF

» St Leonards is still seeing reports of snapper, pinkies
» Whiting catches continue to improve. Some flathead are also being caught
» Gummy shark and squid being caught
» Point Lonsdale has salmon and trevally, with some good-sized whiting along with calamari catches being reported
» Queenscliff Harbour, some trevally and salmon have been reported
» White Lady is still seeing reports of a few whiting, calamari and flathead being caught
» Indented Head has reports of flathead, squid and some whiting as well as the odd snapper being caught, with reports of some gummy shark being caught out wide
» Clifton Springs is still seeing some nice flathead being reported, with some nice size pinkies also being caught.

In two separate instances, five men in total have been charged over the last few weeks with taking illegal quantities of abalone.

Two men from Parkville and a man from Endeavour Hills are to be charged on summons and have had their diving equipment seized for allegedly taking a commercial quantity of undersized abalone on the Mornington Peninsula.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) Director of Education and Enforcement Ian Parks said officers conducting a patrol apprehended the men near Flinders at an area known locally as ‘The Quarry’. “A team of Fisheries Officers in a patrol vessel launched from Cowes, supported by officers on two Personal Water Craft (PWC) from Mornington, approached the men at approximately 10:30am last Saturday,” Mr Parks said.

“As the officers approached, the men allegedly threw their catch bag into the water. This was later recovered by VFA divers deployed from the PWC’s who recovered the bag along with a second bag found onshore.

“On inspection, the bags revealed the men had allegedly taken a total of 112 abalone, of which 105 were undersize. The men were then apprehended and the abalone were returned back to the water alive. Fortunately, fisheries officers were able to disrupt this operation and prevent the loss of further abalone.”

Mr Parks said abalone poaching threatens the sustainability of the fishery and opportunities for future generations of fishers.

The VFA is committed to detecting, disrupting and dismantling serious and organised fisheries offenders having the greatest impact on the sustainability of the resource.

“The penalty for taking a commercial quantity of abalone is up to 5 years imprisonment.”

In the other incident, two men were nabbed with 30 times the abalone limit.

Two Wonthaggi locals will appear in court, after being apprehended by Victorian Fisheries Authority officers and Victoria Police with a commercial quantity of abalone.

The 44-year-old and 46-year-old men allegedly took a total of 152 Blacklip abalone, while diving at a remote area of the Wonthaggi Heathlands.

Abalone meats and associated dive equipment were located in the rear of a vehicle, during an inspection by Victorian Fisheries Authority officers on Wednesday February 21.

The vehicle, equipment and abalone was seized by officers at the time. Unfortunately, the abalone had been removed from their shells and were unable to be returned to the water.

The pair will be summonsed and will front court at a later date.

Senior fisheries officer Eric Wiseman said the VFA was committed to detecting, disrupting and dismantling serious and organised fisheries offenders having the greatest impact on the sustainability of the resource.

“The bag/possession limit for abalone in Victorian waters is no more than five, and the penalty for taking a commercial quantity of abalone is up to five years imprisonment,” Mr Wiseman said.

People who see or suspect illegal fishing activity should call the Fisheries offence reporting line 13 FISH (133 474).

Photos

I would also like to remind everyone to keep those photos coming in of your big catch! Please forward them to [email protected], with type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch.