Jig’s up for keen angler

Fisherman’s rods seized

A KEEN angler has had his rods seized after being caught throwing a line off Cunningham Pier the day after he was banned from fishing.

The 65-year-old Glenroy man had been prohibited from recreational fishing for two months, after pleading guilty to taking undersized fish from the Geelong region earlier this year.

The man has an inglorious history, coming to the attention of authorities on 10 previous occasions for taking undersized fish and other offences over the past decade.

He received the ban and a $1193 fine in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court after he was caught in possession of eight undersized snapper and one undersized bream.

Victorian Fisheries Authority’s David Burgess said the first confrontation with officers proved no deterrent.

“After he was interviewed the man returned to fishing and was later inspected again and found in possession of another undersized snapper,” Mr Burgess said.

Incredibly, the day after his court appearance and ban the repeat offender was fishing off Cunningham Pier.

Mr Burgess said the man’s fishing rods were seized and he would be charged with breaching a prohibition order.

Anyone with information relating to illegal fishing is encouraged to ring the illegal fishing reporting number on 13 FISH (133 474).