Fishing News

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. …

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 …

THE Queensland Government will fund two innovative companies to develop high-tech systems for fisheries monitoring of commercial fishing location, effort and catch. Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said Anchor Lab and Fish-e had been awarded funding of $278,300 under the Advance Queensland Small Business Innovation Research program. “The two companies will develop systems that include location tracking, …

FISHING restrictions are in place around all prawn farms in the Logan River region. Because fishing near these farms could introduce serious diseases, line fishing is prohibited within 100m of prawn farm water intake and outlet channels and all fishing is prohibited in drainage channels surrounding these prawn farms. Crab pots, cast nets and yabby pumps can be used in …

A MACKAY recreational fisher was fined $4000 for possessing 15 excess spanish mackerel and $1500 for obstructing a Fisheries officer, with the fish being forfeited to the State. On August 1, 2017 QBFP officers conducted a patrol at the Mackay Marina where they inspected a recreational fishing vessel with three people on board. The vessel’s owner was deemed to be …

AFTER commissioning research that reveals fishing is a life skill that modern dads are no longer teaching their children, the market-leading video on demand platform for high quality fishing content, Fishing TV, is set to hold the first ever World Fishing Day on Saturday 23rd June 2018 in a bid to unite the angling community, bring new people into the …

CURTIN University researchers are investigating options for the sustainable use of the dead carp biomass that could result from the potential release of syprinid herpesvirus 3 (carp virus), under the National Carp Control Plan. The research project ‘Assessment of options for utilisation of virus-infected carp’, involves laboratory-based processing trials as well as commercial-scale trials of processes that produce usable carp-based …

Offenders fined: A complaint to Fishwatch about crab pot interference from a local Ningi resident resulted in a QBFP officer undertaking a surveillance operation at Ningi Creek over a period of two weeks. The surveillance operation helped identify three offenders who were issued with infringement notices of $1261 each for their offences. If you see unlawful activity call the 24-hour …

CONFIDENCE in the Queensland aquaculture industry remains steady, with a small increase in production last financial year. Following a visit to a fish hatchery in Gladstone, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the annual Aquaculture Production Summary shows aquaculture production grew by 1.1 percent to more than 7869 tonnes in 2016-17. “Despite industry pressures, including white …