NEWS DESK
‘Poached’ abalone seized on road, beach Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au SEVEN men were arrested and 50kg of abalone seized in a joint operation by Mornington police and Fisheries officers last week. Two men were nabbed as they beached their boat south of the town, 2.50pm, Tuesday 19 January, allegedly with 20kg of abalone aboard. Five others were intercepted at 8pm on the Mornington-Tyabb Road allegedly with 30kg of abalone inside their car. The day was a no-take day for the valuable shellfish. Acting Sergeant Cam Fields said diving equipment and two cars used in the alleged poaching were also seized and that many of the abalone had been undersized. He said most were able to be returned to the water unharmed. The men, from Cranbourne, Hampton Park and Endeavour Hills, were charged with taking a commercial quantity of abalone and bailed to appear at Dromana Magistrate’s Court next month. Acting Sergeant Fields said strict bail conditions prohibited the men from being within five kilometres of Victorian marine waters. This means they cannot go near any marine waterway, such as beaches, rivers or lakes, or be found in possession of any dive equipment, such as goggles or flippers, at least until the court date in February. Other restrictions are aimed at reducing their risk of reoffending and ensuring their appearance at court. Further investigations may result in new charges being laid, Acting Sergeant Fields said. Anyone seeing or suspecting illegal fishing is being carried out is asked to call iFISH on 133 474.
Seized abalone: Police and fisheries officers who seized catches of abalone from boats and cars were able to return most of the shellfish to the water unharmed. Pictures: Supplied
Scavengers make a move to McCrae THIS year’s annual Seaside Scavenge event has been moved from Rye to McCrae. The Saturday 6 February community beachside litter clean-up, clothes swap and waste education event will be held 9am-2pm at George Kilburn Park, to the left of the lighthouse. Those participating collect rubbish which is turned into currency to buy second-hand clothing, goods and eco-friendly products provided by the community and peninsula businesses. The emphasis is on creating awareness and community change towards waste and how it can be repurposed. Every 500 grams of litter collected earns a trash token to use in the pop-up market. Participants will learn how to separate and catalogue rubbish to capture data for the Australian Marine Debris Database. Aboriginal elder Lionel Lauch will open the scavenge at 10am, followed by musical groups Moore than Nicks & Tones and Velvet Bloom. As well as the second-hand market, Peninsula Plants, Boomerang Bags, Sea Shepherd Marine Debris and Waste Wise Mornington Peninsula will provide support. McCrae Lions Club members will run the barbecue with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Australia. Prizes will be awarded for most litter, most cigarette butts and the weirdest item collected. “The scavenge is about using a fun and positive approach to bring diverse communities together to realise the true value of waste and turn it into a resource, rather than something we throw ‘away’ – because there is no away,” Seaside Scavenge founder and CEO Anna Jane Linke said: Register online through Eventbrite. Attendees are asked to bring a mask, gloves, and a bag for litter. Hand sanitiser will be provided. Details: Seaside Scavenge website or Facebook events at facebook.com/yourcommunityMP
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Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. Southern Peninsula News 27 January 2021
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