VICTORIAN Fisheries officers are reporting an increase in the numbers of people keeping undersize snapper taken from Port Phillip Bay.
According to VIC DPI, in recent weeks officers have issued more than 40 infringement notices during patrols at Mornington, Geelong and Melbourne’s metropolitan area. During the patrols Fisheries officers have found some anglershad succumbed to the temptation of taking more than their fairshare ofsnapper or undersized fish.
Thankfully though most fishos appear to be doing the right thing.
The current minimum legal size limit for snapper is 28cm and the daily bag limit is 10 fish, of which only three may equal or exceed 40cm.
Fisheries officers regularly patrol popular boat ramps and are well aware of the most productive areas of Port Phillip Bay.
Recreational anglers are also reminded it is illegal to sell or trade their catch. Anglers found exceeding catch limits or selling their catch face significant fines.
Anyone observing anglers exceeding their catch limits or multi-tripping can report vehicle or vessel details to Fisheries Victoria’s 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).
