By Tate Papworth
A Hillside fisherman has found himself in hot water.
Fisheries officers came across the man last month and allege he took more than twice the daily bag limit of 10 calamari.
Victorian Fisheries Authority Director of Education and Enforcement Ian Parks said it was part of a major crackdown on illegal fishing for calamari on the Bellarine Peninsula.
“Officers also allegedly watched the man throw back two dead calamari he had previously caught only to replace them with two larger calamari just landed. This is known as ‘high-grading’ and is illegal,“ he said.
“The man then allegedly gave another person a dead calamari by hooking it onto their jig.
“Soon after, the Hillside man was intercepted by officers at the Queenscliff boat ramp.
The man’s aluminium boat, estimated to be worth $6000, calamari and fishing gear were all seized on the spot.
The man is expected to be charged on summons with exceeding the calamari catch limit, failing to return unwanted calamari to the water with the least possible harm, and several marine safety offences.
To report suspicious or illegal fishing activity call 13FISH (133474).
