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Fisheries phone–in campaign yields positive results

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

PIRSA Fisheries has praised the efforts of the Limestone Coast community following positive results of its recent phone-in campaign, Operation Community.

The campaign, which wrapped up today, encouraged local residents to ring and report suspected illegal fishing offences, in particular those using rock lobster pots illegally.

PIRSA Fisheries Regional Manager, Limestone Coast, Mel Snart said Operation Community was a resounding success thanks to the support of the local community.

“We’ve received a number of positive leads from the local community, which our Fisheries Officers are now following up on,” Ms Snart said. 

“We’ll begin ongoing surveillance of these people and if they are in fact offending, it’s only a matter of time until they are caught.

“This operation has showed that the Limestone Coast community are prepared to play their part in protecting our local fish stocks and we thank them for their efforts.

“It’s clear that the community is not prepared to sit by and let others profit from this type of illegal fishing activity.”

Two separate calls to the number have already yielded results.

Over the long weekend, Mount Gambier Fisheries Officers reported five people from Naracoorte for illegally taking undersize rock lobster and abalone at Nora Criena.

Kingston Fisheries Officers also detected three Bordertown residents at Nora Criena for exceeding the bag limit and taking undersize abalone.

All individuals received on the spot fines of up to $555 and had their rock lobster, abalone and a quantity of dive gear seized.

Fisheries Officers also detected 12 different people committing various rock lobster pot offences, including interfering with another persons pot, using a pot in another persons name and using excess pots.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to personally thank those who took the time to call the phone-in number,” Ms Snart said.

“And I encourage anyone who has any information about suspected illegal activity to pick up the phone and call Fishwatch on 1800 065 522.”

Callers can choose to remain anonymous and all information received will be treated as confidential. Alternatively you can also write direct to PIRSA Fisheries at PO Box 2124, Mt Gambier 5290.