A YARRAVILLE man could face a hefty fine and time in jail after allegedly being caught with 55 undersized abalone last week.
Fisheries officers in Williamstown questioned the 41-year-old man and a 32-year-old Broadmeadows man after they were allegedly found with nearly 250 abalone last Friday.
The Broadmeadows man was caught with 193 abalone, 113 of which were undersized. It is expected the two men will face court this month for serious fisheries offences, including trafficking abalone.
Both men allegedly took the abalone from the inter-tidal zone at Williamstown. Fisheries operations manager Scott Falconer said taking abalone from the inter-tidal zone at any time was illegal.
“Trafficking in commercial quantities of abalone is an indictable offence and offenders could face up to 10 years jail,” Mr Falconer said.
“I encourage any member of the public who sees illegal fishing activity to call the offence reporting service, 13 FISH (13 34 74).”
The daily limit for recreational abalone is five a day on any of the 60 days a year set aside for taking abalone in the central zone.
Abalone is worth about $50 a kilo on the black market and more than $100 on the retail market.
