DPI Victoria Blitz on illegal Pipi harvest at Venus Bay

by Department of Primary Industries VIC on 21 Dec 2010 A two-month blitz focusing on pipi collection at Venus Bay (VIC) has seen 285 random inspections leading to 24 infringement notices being issued together with a number of official and verbal warnings.

Victorian Fisheries Operations Manager, Eastern, Peter Courtney said while the results were encouraging there was always room for improvement and patrols of the area would continue.

'We need to ensure this resource is being utilised both responsibly and sustainably,' Mr Courtney said.

'Fisheries Victoria has had a compliance presence at Venus Bay and surrounding areas since late October which has resulted in positive interaction with both locals and visitors to the area.

'While the numbers of people pipi collecting on the beach has been down when compared to previous years, due to inclement weather, some offending is still apparent.

'Offences included exceeding the bag limit, using digging implements to take pipis and not having a current recreational fishing licence.

'A daily catch limit for Venus Bay of 2 litres applies per person.

'Officers will continue to have a presence at Venus Bay throughout the rest of summer and we will not hesitate to prosecute people who flout the regulations.'

Meanwhile last week four men from Melbourne were convicted and fined $800 each when they appeared in the Korumburra Magistrates’ Court. A woman who failed to appear was also convicted and fined $800.

The group had travelled from St Albans in Melbourne last August and used hand held digging implements to take pipis in the inter-tidal zone.

When intercepted the group ran and hid in the dunes.

Six bags were recovered with a total of 75.5 litres of pipis which were seized along with digging tools and other equipment including rucksacks.

Magistrate Raleigh said it was his belief, given the quantity and repeated visits that the pipis had been taken for sale and in sentencing he wished to show a strong deterrent to the rest of the community that excess harvest of fish resources was not to be taken lightly.

Anyone who sees illegal fishing is urged to call the 24 hour line 13-FISH (133474).