Two Burnside anglers could be jailed or cop hefty fines for illegally selling 20 fish they caught in the state’s south east.
A 66-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman were arrested on November 17 shortly after catching golden perch at Lake Eildon, and allegedly selling them to a Richmond bakery.
They also sold fish at an undisclosed residential address on the previous day.
It is an offence to sell caught fish recreationally without a commercial licence or permit, with penalties of six months in jail or a $15,546 fine.
The pair will be charged for catching fish for sale, and they are expected to front court next year.
Their car, boat, fishing equipment and proceeds of sales were also seized.
Fisheries Victoria education and enforcement director Ian Parks said the arrest should act as a reminder and a warning to other anglers that fish caught recreationally cannot be sold.
“Inland rivers and lakes are being fished very heavily at the moment for golden perch,” he said. “While we love seeing Victorians out on the water taking advantage of our superb fishing, we want to remind everyone that selling recreational fish is a serious matter that threatens the sustainability of Victoria’s precious fish stocks – it’s not worth it.”
Anybody with information about people selling recreationally caught fish should call 13 34 74.
