Police have issued a stern warning to recreational fishers following a string of recent breaches where anglers have been caught exceeding catch limits and taking undersized fish.
Two men were fined after being caught with more than four times the legal limit of Sand Flathead at Ulverstone on Sunday.
The pair had 43 Sand Flathead, which they had cut into 85 fillets, significantly exceeding the possession limit of 10 per person for Tasmania’s Northern and Western Fishing Zones.
The men were also found with a gummy shark that had its dorsal fin and tail removed, violating regulations that require dorsal and pectoral fins to remain attached until sharks are landed.
They received a $606 fine for the gummy shark violation and a formal caution for the excess flathead, which would typically attract an $808 penalty.
A Tasmania Police spokesperson said it is vital that fishers familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations.
Authorities recommend downloading the Fishing Tas App, which provides up-to-date information on catch limits and also includes features for reporting Rock Lobster fishing activities.
Police have urged anyone with information about illegal fishing to contact them on 131 444 or call the Fishwatch hotline on 0427 655 557, noting that information can be provided anonymously.
