Fishing Rules

THE latest round of surveillance tests conducted by Biosecurity Queensland show no signs of white spot disease in southeast Queensland waters, more than two-and-a-half years after the virus devastated the big prawn farms on the Logan River. It’s a big relief for the prawn farmers whose stocks were destroyed after white spot disease was first discovered two-and-a-half years ago, and …

FISHERIES officers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries have continued to put the blowtorch on illegal crab fishing and black-market sales. NSWDPI A/Director Fisheries Compliance Brett Andrew said several people including a restaurant owner are in hot water for allegedly dealing illegally in crabs. “Fisheries officers inspected a restaurant in South West Rocks on May 28 and seized a …

A BURNETT Heads father and son have been fined $19,000 for significant black market fishing activity involving more than 90 illegal transactions. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the pair were unlawfully selling thousands of dollars worth of prawns and mud crabs, and were found in possession of regulated fish and commercial fishing apparatus. “This prosecution …

QUEENSLAND Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers are putting an eye in the sky to help protect our state’s fisheries resources with drones being deployed at key locations. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said a fleet of 10 drones would be used by compliance officers to extend their surveillance reach. “By its nature, Queensland Boating and Fisheries …

HEAVIER fines and jail time of up to three years awaits anyone who trades fish on the black market. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said it was one of several changes to the Fisheries Act that had now taken effect. “Anyone found guilty of black marketing or trafficking in fish is looking at fines of up …

CRABBERS are urged to know Queensland’s crabbing rules after a man was fined more than $7000 for taking undersized crabs from the Caboolture River, north of Brisbane. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said in April 2018, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers found the man with 11 undersized male mud crabs and eight females, which are …

BLACK jewfish are now better protected under new rules that apply to commercial and recreational fishers, and the take of gastropods and bivalve molluscs has been completely banned in Moreton Bay to protect sustainability. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said this was in response to feedback from the community concerned about overfishing of these species. “We’ve …

MONTHS of intelligence gathering and high-level collaboration between NSW, Victoria and South Australia has resulted in the apprehension of a 36-year-old Pomona man for allegedly taking and illegally selling 12 tonnes of golden perch worth around $200,000. Operation Weelsby was led by NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries over a 20-month period, and included the Victorian Fisheries Authority, Primary Industries …

FISHERS are being urged to make sure they know the Queensland fishing rules after five Sunshine Coast fishers were recently fined a total of $4000 for taking undersized fish. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers found the fishers with 150 undersize fish on Chambers Island in the Maroochy River on …

NEW fisheries laws passed by the Queensland Government mean Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers will have increased powers to crack down on black market fishers. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said making sure fishers followed the rules was critical to maintaining fish stocks. “Our reforms are a crucial step in building a legacy of a …