A commercial fisher has been fined $15,000 in the Caboolture Magistrates Court. He had repeatedly failed to allow Fisheries officers to inspect his vehicle and boat, did not maintain logbooks properly and had non-compliant nets.
The offences took place on a number of occasions over 6 months. In one instance, the fisher motored away from QBFP officers on the Caboolture River and threw a number of fish overboard to avoid inspection.
While no conviction was recorded, he was fined $15,000 plus costs, and his nets seized.
QBFP first became aware of the fisher’s activities based on information provided via the toll-free 24-hour Fishwatch 1800 017 116 Hotline.