Fishing Rules

EXCEEDING pipi possession limits has seen two recreational fishers fined a total of $8000 in the Noosa Magistrates’ Court. Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said the two fishers were caught on Teewah Beach with a total of 3591 pipis in June 2017. “The possession limit for pipis in Queensland is 50 per person, so the two fishers had in their possession …

TAKING excess coral reef fish, which were to be sold on the black market, has landed two Townsville recreational fishers $17,000 in fines. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the two recreational fishers pleaded guilty in the Townsville Magistrates’ Court to unlawfully taking 63 coral reef fin fish. “The magistrate stated their actions were deliberate and …

QUEENSLAND’S new Rocky Reef Fishery Working Group will be asked to identify options to rebuild the snapper stock, which continues to be considered overfished. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner announced the new working group, which will provide advice to the government on managing fisheries including snapper, pearl perch, teraglin jew, yellowtail kingfish, cobia and mahi mahi. …

RECREATIONAL fishers will be hitting the water this weekend as the annual closed season for Australian bass comes to an end. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol Technical Support Officer David Kahler said Australian bass had been off-limits in Queensland tidal waters from 1 June to 31 August 2018 to protect the species during its breeding cycle. “Fishers can return to …

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 …

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 …

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 …

A CLONTARF recreational fisher who sold crabs unlawfully has been convicted and fined $12,000 in the Redcliffe Magistrates’ Court. During sentencing, the Magistrate commented that the offending was commercially motivated and had a detrimental effect on recreational and commercial fishers. Referring to the fisher’s history of fisheries offences, the Magistrate said the court penalty should send a clear message to …