Fishing Rules

THE annual closed season for Australian bass in Queensland tidal waters ends this week. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol manager Rob McDonald said the species had been off-limits in tidal waterways from June 1 to August 31 to protect the species during its breeding cycle. “Fishers can return to their favourite tidal waterways to catch Australian bass from Friday, September …

A CLOSED season applies to Mary River cod and Murray cod from September 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017. Closed season for Murray cod Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officer Coby Walker said the annual closure during spawning season is an important measure to allow the species to reproduce so there are viable stocks of these fish for future generations to …

A WOODRIDGE man was recently found guilty in Southport Magistrates’ Court for illegal fishing activities, and was fined $15,000. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol was conducting inspections last year on the northern section of the Gold Coast, when Fisheries officers caught the man with four unmarked crab pots, seven undersize male mud crabs, five female mud crabs, and one undersize …

NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries officers recently conducted a surveillance operation on the Darling River upstream of Menindee, where they apprehended two males from Broken Hill. Fisheries officers alleged they observed the two men, aged 64 and 67, using a gill net to take fish from the waters of the Darling River. DPI’s director of fisheries compliance Patrick Tully …

THE Pacific’s fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing has been further strengthened today with the ratification of the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement. Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston said the treaty would be of significant benefit to Australia’s broader security and development aims in the Pacific region. “The treaty establishes a legal framework for conducting a …

“It is important that recreational fishers understand that a person must not unlawfully take, possess or sell a regulated fish. Recreational fishers must also be reminded that there are limits on the amount of Fisheries resource they can take.” If you suspect illegal fishing, whether seen in person or online, report it to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116. …

A RECREATIONAL fisher’s assumption the cover of darkness would allow him to poach from a no-take zone undetected proved to be a costly mistake, with the north Queensland man recently caught, convicted and fined $1800. The incident was detected during a night time vessel patrol by Queensland Parks and Wildlife officers inside a no-take Marine National Park Zone (green zone) between Hudson …

THE Queensland Government today introduced a new biosecurity regulation aimed at strengthening the containment of white spot disease and further protecting Queensland’s multi-million dollar seafood industry. Chief Biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said this regulation has been introduced to contain white spot disease and prevent further outbreaks. “The new regulation provides a balance between preventing further outbreaks of the disease and …

FISHERS are being reminded that Australian bass will be off-limits throughout Queensland tidal waters when the closed season starts on June 1 until August 31 2017. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol manager Ian Fricke said the closure was in place to protect Australian bass during their breeding cycle. “The annual closure period is vital to protecting this migratory species of …

A BRISBANE recreational fisher with a history of fisheries infringements has been fined $17,000 for crabbing offences on the Logan River. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol acting district manager Mark Saul said fisheries officers intercepted the Stretton man’s vehicle leaving Marks Rd boat ramp at Woongoolba on the Logan River during a targeted operation against illegal crabbing. They found 104 …