Shellfish thief netted by Vic authorities

A thief who pinched lobster and abalone has been netted by Victorian authorities, fined $8000 and had his fishing gear seized.

The 34-year-old Point Cook man was found guilty in the Geelong Magistrates' Court of numerous fishing offences on Tuesday including having double the legal catch limit of greenlip abalone, twice breaching a court order banning him from fishing and other offences.

The fisherman received a six-year-ban on top of the fine, while a boat and dive gear valued at more than $30,000 was forfeited.