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Spearing Trout Earns Croydon Man A $1000 Fine

A 49 year old from Croydon, in Melbourne’s northeast, has been fined $1000, after pleading guilty to spearing trout in the Tarago River, near Warragul.

By Minister for Agriculture - 11th September 2009 - Back to News

The Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court heard Charles Thomas Baldwin was caught on the night of June 13 with two multi-pronged spears and a rainbow trout.

The fish and all of the equipment were seized at the time of the offence and forfeited to the court.

Deputy Chief Magistrate, Dan Muling, said he was concerned about the offence and the use of homemade spears.

"These matters are viewed seriously by legislators and I need to send a message that this sort of behaviour is not tolerated," Mr Muling said.

Prosecuting Senior Fisheries Officer, Errol Parmigiani, said Fisheries Victoria had received numerous reports about this sort of activity in the area.

"The verdict is a clear indication that illegal fishing activity of this nature will not be tolerated by the courts," Mr Parmigiani said.

"It is an offence to take or possess trout during the salmonid closed season.

"Fisheries Victoria is stocking fish across the state in lakes and impoundments but large sections of most major rivers are closed to give the fish a chance to spawn.

"It is also an offence to take fish in inland waters with a spear or to possess a spear next to those waters.

"The salmonid season re-opened on September 4, active patrols will continue in the rivers and streams through out the year."

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour reporting line 13-FISH, (13-3474).

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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