Big yabby haul puts a costly bite on Wimmera man

by Simone Dalton on 30 Aug 2011 A 57-year-old Wimmera man who took more than three times the legal limit of yabbies in one day is more than $500 out of pocket.

The man pleaded guilty in the Stawell Magistrate’s Court to taking more fish than the catch limit and to using more than 10 recreational hoop nets.

He was ordered to pay $500 to the court fund and $75.50 costs, without conviction.
The court heard the man had been fishing for yabbies at Lake Lonsdale, near Stawell in February this year when his boat was inspected by Fisheries Officers.

Officers found 100 litres of whole yabbies on board and were told all had been caught that day.

The allowable daily catch for yabbies is 30 litres of whole yabbies or five litres of yabby meat.

Offenders face fines of up to $2440 for exceeding this limit.

Outside the court, Senior Fisheries Officer, Murray Burns said with the yabby season about to commence in many parts of Victoria it was vital anglers fished within the law.

'There is more water in lakes than we have seen for many years, we are anticipating a bumper yabby season and it is important all anglers share this valuable resource,' Mr Burns said.

'Officers will be patrolling waters and those who break the law could pay the price as we have seen with this case.'

Under Victorian rules anglers must have a recreational fishing licence unless exempt to catch yabbies.

'Anglers can use up to 10 recreational hoop nets in most inland waters, while a maximum of five recreational hoop nets can be used in specified waters which are outlined in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide 2010/2011,' Mr Burns said.

If you want to find out more about Victorian fishing rules go to the click here. If you see someone fishing illegally call 13FISH Department of Primary Industries VIC website.