Fishing News

THE Queensland Government has announced the appointment of the new Moreton Bay Working Group under the landmark Sustainable Fisheries Strategy. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner welcomed the appointed members who will provide advice to the government and work to ensure Moreton Bay remains a world-class fishery. “The working group’s priority will be to advise on fishing …

A NEW vessel for Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol in the Redlands will assist fisheries officers to detect netting and crabbing offences in the district. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner joined Member for Redlands Kim Richards to inspect the new 4.3m aluminium patrol vessel Interceptor at Raby Bay. Ms Richards said the vessel’s addition to the …

A GOLD Coast bait supplier who moved raw prawns outside the movement restriction area and sold them to a bait shop in the Warwick region has been fined $10,000 in the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court. The Magistrate said the penalty should send a clear message to other industry operators and the public warning them that they will be punished if they …

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 …

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, …