ON FRIDAY, April 5, at 5pm on Gap Road, VFA Fisheries Officers apprehended two men who allegedly took a total of 281 abalone, many of which were undersized, from the restricted area of the intertidal zone – water less than two metres deep – on the southern side of the island near Pyramid Rock.
The bag limit for abalone is five in Victorian waters, according to the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA).
The pair, both from Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, driving a blue Holden Commodore sedan, had their vehicle, abalone, diving equipment and phones seized. VFA confirmed they were charged and bailed and will appear in court at a later date.
VFA confirmed the investigation is ongoing, with VPA spokesperson stating, “We’ll continue to focus on major fisheries crime, which presents a risk to the sustainability of our fisheries.
“We know the vast majority of Victorian fishers do the right thing and large-scale, illegal fishing is not accepted by the community.”
Kelly Ward was at the scene on Friday evening and witnessed the raid by Victoria Police and VFA, stating that VFA were watching them come in from out of the water.
Kelly and her partner, who is working on a rock wall project in Silverleaves to reduce erosion, were parked on Gap Road when police and VFA pulled over the blue Holden Commodore.
“It wasn’t the first time they had done it. There was evidence on their phone that they’d done it quite a few times – the week before, they’d caught 300. The investigation has been ongoing from what I can gather,” said Kelly.
Kelly mentioned that she often sits at the Stony Point boat ramp and observes people arriving with loads of fish.
“It’s disgusting. I heard about the VFA cuts before I saw this firsthand, and it just shows that we need more fisheries out on the water, not less. It is just unbelievable!”
Kelly is not alone with recreational fishers in arms about the termination of 27 fisheries officers in the Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay.
“Prior to the announcement they were trying to fill a vacancy,” owner-operator Island Offshore Charters San Remo Craig Martin stated, noting there were currently four officers dedicated to this area.
“They cover a huge section of the coast. They’re understaffed anyway and can’t check everybody, there’s probably 10 per cent who are doing the wrong thing, but most (fishers) don’t run the risk.”
Mr Martin is astonished that Fisheries have made the decision to terminate on-the-ground boots and that it has been signed off at a ministerial level given the creation of Fisheries was to protect the environment.
“The Fisheries Authority Act of 2016 states that fisheries are to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance… they’re in breach of their own rules,” Craig continued also noting the Victorian Fisheries Act 1995.
“The fact that the four (fisheries officers) were able to see what was happening (on Friday), monitor it, and actually make the bust, shows just how hard these guys work and how dedicated they are to their job. Under the new proposal, there will be one fisheries officer per 27,7000 fishers. Other states on average have one fisheries officer to 5000-10,000 fishers.
“They’ve got a mammoth task ahead of them, and I just can’t see any justification for what they’re trying to do.
“What we saw on Friday was that these people were dumb enough to load abalone into their car in front of the general public – it’s major crime.”
According to another local, boat owners have already been approached on the jetties to sell their boats at a premium with one condition, the boat stays in their name.
“It’s a joke,” the other fisherman stated. “Every other state is looking to increase and recruit fisheries officers.”
The call for fisheries officers to remain in place comes as the parliamentary report into Victoria’s withdrawal from the 2026 Commonwealth Games reportedly cost Victorian’s $589 million.
“It’s an absolute fiasco. They blew $589 million on the Games but they’re trying to save $10 million,” the fisherman continued.
Poachers and offenders have already been stating that they thought fisheries officers were out.
“They busted a guy fishing off the rocks last week, not only was he way over on numbers, but also undersized. And he said, ‘Ah you got me. I thought you guys were finished’.”
The start of what is to come, the public should be concerned according to Mr Martin.
“You can’t expect the public to self-regulate. It’s only to get worse – in two years there will be bugger all left along the coast,” Mr Martin stated.
“The more you sit down and think about what they’re proposing, the worse it gets. Whether you’re a beach walker, fisherman, or diver, it’s going to affect everything.”
According to Mr Martin, it’ll start onshore with the shellfish and go out from there.
“It’s been very well managed until now.”
The VFA will be restocking more than $5.7 million of fish if poachers have their way, though questions have also been raised by fishermen after VFA reported an all-time record of 11.5 million fish were released into Victoria’s lakes and rivers, and where the monies were obtained for the extra restocking over the original budget.
Over a quarter of a million people have viewed the video posted by Island Offshore Charters on Friday evening as the offenders were arrested and fisheries surveys the bust.
Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing anywhere in Victoria should ring the 13FISH (13 3474) reporting line.
The Sentinel-Times will have more to follow on this story over the coming weeks.
