NEWS

Father and son Abalone thieves caught at Mordialloc  

2 March 2010

A father and his 11 year old son were apprehended by fishery officers for allegedly stealing abalone in the Mordialloc area on Friday, February 26.

The 33 year old Clayton South man was observed wearing a mask and snorkel 'duck diving' over a known abalone area. After diving for about 1.5 hours, it is alleged the man handed a catchbag containing 238 shucked (shell removed) abalone to his son. When the pair was apprehended, Fisheries Officers found the shucked abalone appeared to be grossly undersize.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Fisheries Officer, Dane Robinson, said the catch limit was five, although the day of the alleged offence was closed to abalone collection. “As the collection was so grossly over the catch limit and with most having not yet reached breeding age, it would take a long time for the area to recover,” Mr Robinson said.

The man was arrested and taken to the Mordialloc Police Station. His family station wagon and diving equipment were seized. He will be charged on summons.

People who suspect illegal fishing activity should call the DPI fisheries 24-hour offence reporting line 13 FISH (133 474).

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