In the early hours of Sunday 16 December 2018, Marine Police detected two males aged 19 and 50 at Tinderbox in the south of the state in possession of excess and undersized rock lobster.

The males attempted to obstruct police by throwing a number of rock lobsters back into the water, however several of the fish were recovered.  The dinghy they were in had been repainted in various shades of grey and was lacking in a number of minimum safety equipment requirements.

The dinghy used by the males was seized by police and a number of the rock lobster were returned to the water alive. The males will be proceeded against for a number of fisheries and MAST offences.

If any person observed two males in a grey painted dinghy in the area of North Bruny Island or Tinderbox during the night or early hours of Sunday morning, please contact Marine Police on 61732475 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Marine Police encourage recreational fishers to read the fishing guide provided to them with their fishing license to familiarise themselves with catch and size limits of all fish species and ensure they have all the required safety equipment on board which is required for the area they operate in.

Flares should be checked to ensure they are in date and all equipment is in an operational condition and easily accessible in an emergency.

Police and MAST also encourage fishers who have inflatable PFD’s to check the condition of the inflation mechanism and cylinder and have them serviced regularly.  Always check the weather and wave forecast prior to departure and let someone know what time you expect to return.

Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au