Fisheries officers sting alleged abalone poacher at Melbourne pier

Cameras have captured the moment fisheries officers conducted a shellfish sting at a Melbourne pier, as uncertainty surrounds jobs in the industry.

Five men and women were questioned at Altona pier after they were found allegedly carrying six-times the legal limit of abalone, as well as multiple mobile phones and scuba diving gear.

The bust comes two days after Beaumaris locals pounced on another alleged poaching operation at Ricketts Point.

READ MORE: Albanese leads Dutton as preferred leader as chance of minority government increases: poll

In Victoria, it is not permitted to take more than five abalone from the water on any given day.

Fishermen argue the potential state government sacking of 29 fisheries officers could make Victoria's protected marine sanctuaries vulnerable to illegal fishing.

"It is going to put the state's multibillion-dollar commercial fishing industry at risk," CPSU Victoria secretary Karen Batt said.

"It's lunacy."

Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the government was still in talks with the workforce over the cuts.

But the opposition argued the potential workforce reduction was at odds with local fishing trends.

"It's not the time to take fisheries officers off the beat when you're seeing record fishing happening in the state," opposition spokesperson David Southwick said.

The boat owner involved in this morning's bust is expected to be charged on summons.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.