Anglers caught in fisheries net
On the lookout: Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning patrols aim to protect wildlife in Port Phillip.
Bay patrols step up to protect animals A CLOSE watch is being kept on power boats and jet skis to protect seals and other animals in Port Phillip. An increase in patrols by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning along the coastline follows rare visit to the region from an Antarctic crab-eater seal and the return of Australian fur seal Arcto to Dromana. The crab-eater seal was only 11th of its kind spotted in Victoria since 1856 and the first since 1999, while the bull seal Arcto was back at Dromana for the third year running. With peak boating season in full swing, the DELWP Port Phillip Region is using its own jet skis and patrol boat to protect the bay’s dolphins, seals and
other marine life. “We’re now ramping up our patrols all along the peninsula coastline where we expect hundreds of jet skiers and boaties to be present during the Australia Day holiday period,” DELWP compliance officer Abby Smith said. Fines for driving too close to marine animals ranged from $228 (on the spot) or $3033 if taken to court. Ms Smith said vessels should cut their speed to five knots or less if near a dolphin or whale “and drive away from the animal”. High impact vessels like jet skis must remain 300 metres away from whales and dolphins. Recreational boats must remain 100m away from dolphins and
200m from whales, except if approached. “We’re partnering with other organisations like the Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation to provide a visible presence and take action when necessary to ensure people are doing the right thing by the bay’s wildlife. “Having so many recreational users on the water will disturb the behavioural patterns of dolphins and other precious species, so we ask people to behave responsibly and minimise any interactions with the bay’s wildlife.” For more information on the regulations, visit delwp.vic.gov.au or call 136 186. To report sick, injured or distressed marine wildlife call 0447 158 676.
A TRAWING expedition by fisheries officers on land and sea netted 144 anglers breaking such rules as catching too many fish, using too many lines and keeping undersized catches. Despite the number of anglers booked, Fisheries Victoria says its Operation Billit found “the vast majority” of anglers in Western Port and Port Phillip “are doing so legally”. The operation was targeting snapper anglers but caught one angler with too many calamari and another with abalone. “We inspected 2100 recreational anglers on the water and at the boat ramps, we detected a total of 144 offenders were detected,” Fisheries Victoria’s Bob Hutton said. “This was not a covert operation and was widely publicised before it started, so there is no real excuse for those 144 anglers not knowing, or deliberately flouting, fishing regulations.
“One man will be going to court for allegedly exceeding the catch limit of southern calamari and another will face abalone related charges.” Altogether 39 infringement notices were issued, two relating to exceeding the catch limit of snapper. Those fish were seized and the anglers fined $455 each. Other offences detected included taking other species below minimum size, which also generated a $455 fine, using more than four lines in marine waters and fishing without a licence. “All of these rules are outlined in the Recreational Fishing Guide, which is available free from most good tackle stores or by downloading the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones,” Mr Hutton said. Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing can call the 24-hour reporting line 13 3474.
Tee off for Chelsea SES THE Australasian Golf Club will host the 4th annual ‘Thank You Chelsea SES Golf Day’ at Chelsea Public Golf Course, 29 Fraser Ave, on Sunday 28 February. Once again, all funds raised throughout the day will go to the Chelsea SES Unit. A breakfast of egg and bacon rolls from the barbecue will be available before teeing off at about 8am. Following a round of golf, lunch can be bought from SES master chefs at the barbecue which will be loaded up with snags and burgers, and just like breakfast; all at very reasonable prices. To top it all off, the bar at the 19th hole will be open for business after the golf as well.
The 5th hole will be easy to spot with a huge target painted on it on the day for a nearest the pin competition. A shotgun start will see teams of four teeing off at every hole at the same time following a blast from a Chelsea rescue vehicle siren to begin their 18 holes. Alan Fletcher, known to fans around the world of Network TEN’s Neighbours as Doctor Karl, will be playing once again along with some other surprise guests. The cost to be a part of the day for 18 holes of golf, as well as raising money for the Chelsea SES Unit, is just $15 and bookings are essential. Call the club on 9772 4242 to book.
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