Tasmania Police Marine police have been proactive on the water checking recreational fishers over the summer period with a number of offences being detected in recent weeks.

“It’s great to see so many people out and about being safe and enjoying their fishing – but unfortunately we’re still seeing a percentage of people who keep undersize fish caught or take more than their legal catch limits or pull other people’s lobster pots,” Sgt Rod Stacey said.

Over the last weekend alone, police targeted recreational rock lobster offenders resulting in a number of apprehensions – one resulting in the seizure of a number of undersized rock lobster and vessel used by the fishers.

“Apart from impacting on our future fish stocks – people illegally fishing risk substantial fines and seizures of their fishing gear and vessels,” Sgt Stacey said.

“We rely a lot on the information we get from the public about people who are doing the wrong thing – that way we can proactively target hot spots of illegal activity around the state.  Information like the time and location of the activity, car or boat registration numbers and any other descriptions are the sort of detail we’re after if you can get them.”

Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities are encouraged to contact Fish Watch on the 24-hr hotline 0427 655 557.