Illegal Fishing

13FISH Offence Reporting Service | 13FISH Results | Education | Enforcement | Fines & Penalties | Compliance Strategies

We’re serious about protecting our precious resources. You can help ensure all Victorians have fish for the future by sticking to recreational fishing regulations and reporting those who break the rules. The Victorian Government has allocated $1.05 million over four years to operate an illegal fishing reporting line. 13FISH (telephone 13 3474) is a statewide 24/7 fisheries offence reporting line which was launched on 8 September 2003. Reports from the community have already led to the conviction of people involved in various serious offences including illegal netting and taking commercial quantities of abalone. This service has been supported by regular fisheries enforcement operations at peak fishing times. In addition, 2004 legislation introduced by the Government has got tough on fisheries offenders with: An indictable offence of trafficking in abalone and rock lobster Larger fines and tougher jail sentences for offenders Enhanced search and arrest powers for DPI Fisheries Officers.

Illegally taken golden perch by nylon mesh net, discovered by Fisheries Officers

Our uniformed and plain-clothes Fisheries Officers constantly perform spot checks all over Victoria, resulting in fines of up to $120,000 and/or penalties of up to 10 years in jail and confiscation of equipment.

13FISH Offence Reporting Service

If you suspect illegal fishing activity, call our fisheries offence reporting line on 13FISH (13 3474).

Helpful information includes:

• Time and date of activity and if observed activity is continuing or has finished
• Place
• Number of people involved
• Vehicle / boat registration
• Activity
• Equipment

The 13FISH service has already had a major impact on organised abalone poaching, illegal fishing in marine national parks and netting offences. For example one call led to the detention and charging of two Springvale men after the seizure of 205 blacklip abalone. Also, several illegal estuary and inland netting incidents have been followed up and offenders apprehended. 30 September 2009 update Since the inception of 13FISH in 2003, more than 11,692 calls have resulted in: the issuing of 594 Infringement Notices, 102 prosecutions launched, 1557 intelligence reports generated, the seizure of countless pieces of fishing equipment, and a a number of significant investigations undertaken. Most offences between July and September 2009 have been recreational fishing marine related offences. Education One of the components of fisheries compliance work is education about regulations. The aim is to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of fisheries regulations, and therefore, in the longer term, to increase compliance. Education involves a number of activities including: Promotion of regulations and where to get detailed information about regulations Distribution of around 300,000 copies of the annual Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide through over 900 outlets throughout Victoria Provision of Fish Length Rulers and plastic measures (for rock lobster, abalone and spiny freshwater crayfish) On-site education by Fisheries Officers on patrol Schools education via the Get Hooked…It’s fun to fish education kit and programs run through the Marine Discovery Centre at Queenscliff You may also visit our Education and Publications and Media releases sections of this website for information resources. Page Top Enforcement Fisheries Officers are employed by the Department of Primary Industries to protect our fisheries. One of their roles is to ensure compliance with fishing regulations. Fisheries Officers do not always wear a uniform, however, should you be approached by an officer they will display their official identification to you. They have extensive powers of search and entry and may stop any boat, or vehicle, in order to carry out inspections. They may also seize any fish, fishing gear or other equipment that has been used in an alleged offence against the Fisheries Act 1995 including boats and vehicles.

13FISH information card Front Cover of the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide 2009 - 2010

The Australian Fisheries National Compliance Strategy 2005-2010 outlines the objectives that Australian fisheries agencies will pursue to promote voluntary compliance and create deterrence to illegal fishing activity. It also outlines the principles that agencies will use when planning cost-effective and efficient fisheries compliance programs. The Strategy complements the National Plan of Action against illegal unreported and unregulated fishing. The Strategy acknowledges the differences in operating environments across jurisdictions however a standard approach is provided to achieve an optimal level of compliance. Key elements of the Strategy include education, advisory and extension programs. This document will be used as a reference in developing local compliance strategies and plans thus ensuring a consistent approach to fisheries compliance throughout Australia. The following document is in PDF format. If you do not have the Acrobat PDF viewer you can download a free copy from Adobe Acrobat (external link). National Compliance Strategy AFNC Strategy 2005-2010 (PDF 562KB)

Front cover of the National Compliance Strategy 2005 - 2010