THE second annual search for Australia best fish and chips shop kicks off tomorrow, with over 100,000 votes expected to be cast in the national competition. Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston said she encourages everybody to have their say in the 2018 Australian Fish and Chips Awards. “Fish and chips are an Australian icon and we …

COMPLIANCE activity has been significantly boosted over the first 12 months of implementing Queensland’s Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, with the recruitment of 20 new patrol officers. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the first annual update on the Strategy showed good progress in a range of areas. “The Sustainable Fisheries Strategy is the largest reform of the …

FISHERS planning a trip to Fraser Island are reminded about the upcoming fishing closure of regulated waters during the annual tailor run. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol Acting District Officer Deryk Smith said the closed season applies from midday August 1 to midday September 30, 2018. “The closure is in place to protect tailor where they congregate for spawning and …

ALUMINIUM plate boat manufacturer Formosa Marine has released a lockable enclosed cabin Hard Top with a roller door. This new option is now available for the Half Cabin and Centre Cabin models in the Offshore range in sizes 580 to 740 and the Classic 580. Discover the 7.4m range. The Half Cabin, Centre Cabin and X Bowrider models are available …

MOTORGUIDE’S newest release – the Xi3 – is the quietest and easiest to use motor in its class. Indeed, rigorous testing has proven it to be up to 40 percent quieter than its nearest competitor. But there’s a lot more to it than that. MotorGuide’s latest offering also has wireless control straight out of the box, with a hand-held remote …

THE latest round of surveillance results for white spot disease have now been finalised, with the results showing no further spread, which is welcome news for the Queensland seafood industry. More than 60 sites across the state were tested for the virus that causes white spot disease and the findings have shown there is no indication the virus is spreading. …

QUEENSLAND’S waterways are renowned for being home to many magnificent examples of runabouts from the 1970s and 1980s that have since been refurbished, repowered and kitted out with contemporary electronics. Some of their original manufacturers have even created new corporate divisions that specialise in undertaking these refurbishments. And the standard of work undertaken in some of these restoration projects is …

STACER’S best-selling runabout range has a complete new look for 2018 with the new Sea Master featuring the new Revolution Hull. The new Sea Master range is available in a line-up of new sizes including the 429, 449, 469, 499 and 519 and will replace the current Seaway and Bay Master line ups. A variety of new standard features have …

A MAJOR sting by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol has uncovered unlawful black market fishing activities in Brisbane. A total of 70 charges were laid against four men, two of whom were commercial fishers, with a total of $35,690 in fines handed out. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the detection of such significant offences, …

A SUNSHINE Coast company which damaged protected marine plants of cultural significance to the local Indigenous community has been convicted and fined more than $29,000 in the Maroochydore Magistrates’ Court. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the detection of the offences and the fines imposed sent a clear message that the wilful damage of marine plant …