Fisherman nabbed for illegal fishing at Point Lonsdale

by DEPI Victoria on 22 Mar 2014 A 43 year-old Ivanhoe man has been questioned by Fisheries Officers in relation to allegedly fishing for sharks in the Point Lonsdale area of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park on Wednesday March 19.

Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Fisheries Officers will allege the man intentionally drifted a whole tuna bait that held two large hooks on the ingoing tide into the Marine Park for a distance of 169 meters from the Point Lonsdale Pier.

Queenscliff Senior Fisheries Officer David Burgess said that at the time the bait was connected to sophisticated game fishing equipment.

'Anglers are only permitted to fish off the pier at Point Lonsdale to a distance of 50 metres.'

Mr Burgess said the man’s fishing rod, reel and tackle were seized and it is expected that the man will be charged on summons.

'The taking or attempting to take any marine species from a Marine National Park or Sanctuary is a serious offence and there are penalties of up to $8,600 for recreational offences.

Fisheries officers have recently observed an increase in the number of Marine National Park offences.

'I strongly urge members of the public observing suspicious or illegal fishing activities to report it to the 13FISH reporting hotline on 133 DEPI Victoria website