
Two men from Inglewood, near Bendigo in Central Victoria, have recently been prosecuted and fined for illegal fishing, after being caught by Fisheries Officers from the Department of Primary Industries.
One man was fined $900 in the Bendigo Magistrates court and had his illegal fishing equipment forfeited and destroyed.
A second man was issued with a $611 infringement notice for possessing commercial fishing equipment.
Department spokesperson Mike Hosking said both men were caught using wire drum nets and taking fish from the Loddon River near Serpentine.
"Officers then inspected two properties where they located and seized 21 illegal mesh nets and 42 illegal set lines," Mr Hosking said.
"The department continues to stock waters like the Loddon River with Murray cod and Golden perch and it's disappointing that this type of activity is still occurring in 2012.
"Some people are just not getting the message - if you use or possess this type of equipment you will get caught by our officers and pay the penalty."
