Paynesville man caught illegally selling mussels in Victoria

by Lyall Grey on 21 Sep 2010 A 59 year old man from Paynesville faces a possible six month jail term after allegedly selling Lakes Entrance mussels at the farmers market in Sale, Gippsland Victoria, on Saturday, September 18.

Fisheries officers from Traralgon and Lakes Entrance seized 44 litres of mussels the man had allegedly for sale. Commercial fishing equipment was later seized from the man’s Paynesville residence.

Acting Senior Fisheries Officer Eric Wiseman said there was currently no commercial fishery of mussels for human consumption in the Gippsland Lakes and the man was not licensed to take mussels for sale.

'Mussels are a filter feeder and harvesting from unauthorised areas poses a serious health risk for the public,' Mr Wiseman said.

'Poor handling, storage and transport by illegal fishers can have serious implications.' Commercial fishers pay licence fees for the right to catch and sell seafood which ensures a sustainable resource.

Fisheries Victoria issues commercial licences for aquaculture operators to grow mussels in specified reserves that are classified under a Shellfish Quality Assurance program.

The daily catch limit for licensed recreational fishers is 10 litres of mussels per person per day.

The Paynesville man is likely to be summonsed to appear in court. Anyone observing illegal or suspect fishing activity should call the 24 hour reporting line 13 FISH (133 474).

Further information on catch limits and other regulations is available from the Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre on 131 186 or visit the DPI website www.dpi.vic.gov.au.