Mr Cameron said the changes, which will come into effect on 1 September 2005 included:
· Removal of the requirement to cut the meat of recreationally caught abalone in all Victorian waters at the request of recreational abalone divers;
· Introduction of a permanent closure of the recreational abalone fishery in central Victorian waters except for 60 nominated days each year;
· Reduction of the recreational abalone daily bag limit and possession limit in central Victorian waters from 10 to 5 per person;
· Removal of the current Statewide seasonal closure on the recreational take of greenlip abalone. This is replaced by the introduction of a permanent ban on the recreational and commercial take of greenlip abalone in Port Phillip Bay;
· Removal of the existing Statewide boat/vehicle limit of 50 abalone;
· Retention of the current recreational abalone daily bag limit and possession limit of 10 per person for all Victorian waters other than in, on or near central Victorian waters.
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Mr Cameron said the changes to recreational abalone fishing regulations were the latest step by the Bracks Government to crack down on abalone crime. Previous measures have included:
· A new indictable offence for trafficking in priority species including abalone (with maximum penalties of 10 years jail or a fine of $120,000);
· An increase of 30 per cent in the number of Fisheries Officers
· New search and arrest powers for Fisheries Officers;
· A Statewide 24-hour phone line – 13-FISH – to report illegal fishing activity.