[See: caainc.org.au or search ‘vic gov petitions’.]
Just last weekend there was a report relating to 3 drowned platypuses in an illegal fishing net in the Little Yarra River in Yarra Junction.
The most disturbing aspect of this is that the location of the deaths of these superb creatures was within the operational boundary of the now closed Braeside fisheries station, where now axed Fisheries Officers would have investigated this crime with a view to prosecuting the offender. Platypuses are already significantly threatened because of human impact, and their populations are severely limited. These individuals are likely to have young in burrows at this time of the year, and are now likely to perish without their guardians, wiping out a large portion of the local population in this area.
In recent weeks, Fisheries Officers have seen alarming increases in fisheries-related offending, particularly in relation to Marine Park Incursions. Port Campbell local residents were concerned at the number of recreational vessels fishing inside the iconic 12 Apostles Marine Park. A reactive response by the Victorian Fisheries Authority resulted in vessels being detected inside the Marine Park and offenders being dealt with. Also in the last fortnight, remaining Fisheries Officers at Mallacoota (who had to be assisted by NSW Fisheries Officers due to limited resources), detected and apprehended a licensed commercial abalone vessel illegally taking 800+kg of abalone from the Cape Howe Victorian Marine National Park in Far East Gippsland (near Gabo Island).
In central inland Victoria, compliance rates have also declined amongst Murray Spiny Freshwater Crayfish fishers, with numerous individuals being detected exceeding catch limits, taking undersized and oversized crayfish, as well as taking female crayfish in berry (carrying eggs).
On social media, there have been increases in racially motivated vigilante behaviour by unauthorised individuals seizing catch from fishers and berating them on video. This sort of behaviour is going to become far more common, particularly as we head into the busy summer months, with the knowledge that there are so few Fisheries Officers patrolling and officers unavailable to respond to 13FISH calls.
Please support the CAA Petition by signing immediately. We cannot jeopardise our future fisheries by slashing the number of fisheries enforcement officers.
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Sadly without these frontline officers the incidents of crimes such as this will continue to escalate. Risk perception is a fundamental pillar in effective law enforcement. The knowledge that officers have been cut by 50% will incentivise people that would otherwise be compliant.
This definitely shouldn’t be allowed to happen. The sooner something is done about it, all the better.
I recently witnessed a small group of Burmese couples fleecing the Glenelg River on Xmas day of approximately over 50 bream of all sizes,many well undersize. That was in a two hour period.Upon enquiring further I learnt that these two I saw on a remote and hidden jetty ( a male and female) had four others also doing likewise. From Melbourne,staying in caravan park, seen non stop pulling fish out earlier that day in huge numbers we estimated to be around two to three hundred fish during their two day stay,maybe more as they were very good at what they did. When confronted to throw undersize etc back,and explained bag limits, they decamped quickly,faces hidden by netting over hats. Sadly Fisheries were unable to be contacted on that day,but are now aware of all details of offending vehicles and addresses. I have since been informed that this has been a continuing practice on this river over many months. What madness in cutting back Fisheries officers, these people have no respect whatsoever for our laws at all.