TWO Toti fishermen found themselves in hot water last week when a photo of them pictured with 10 large black musselcrackers went viral on social media.
There were calls to ban Warner Beach anglers Craig van der Linde and Garth Richardson from local fishing clubs, and to prosecute them after the photo emerged showing them posing with the vulnerable and long-lived fish species.
The fish are limited to one per angler per day. It is believed they were caught near the Aliwal Shoal.
Both anglers had gone to ground since the backlash on social media and could not be reached for comment.
Warnadoone Ski-Boat Club was dragged into the ensuing backlash as a boat seen in the background of the photo is based at the club.
“I am advised that comment on the incident regarding allegations of the haul of musselcracker has been requested,” said Warnadoone Ski-Boat Club chairman, Glen Jansen.
“As chairman of Warnadoone Ski-Boat Club, the following is what we, as the committee, have ascertained and forwarded to the relevant authorities:
- None of the anglers shown are members of our club;
- The vessel shown in the news media and on social media has been exonerated by virtue of evidence which we have, and which has been forwarded to the relevant authorities.
We are not at liberty to divulge or make further comments on the allegations as the matter is now under investigation with all relevant authorities.”
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