Fishing

Countdown to annual fishing closure on Fraser Island

Countdown to annual fishing closure on Fraser Island

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 …

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Offshore mulloway magic in southeast QLD

offshore mulloway

IT is that time of year when we are spoilt for species to target offshore. On the shallow grounds we’ve seen a lot of offshore mulloway or jewies as they are affectionately known. Most people associate them with inshore estuaries, rock walls and structure close to river mouths, but they certainly aren’t limited to those areas. The range of these …

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Surveillance results show no further spread of white spot disease

fine raw prawns surveillance results white spot qld wa import restrictions prawns prawn farmers

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. …

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Jewfish and tailor arrive on Clarence Coast

jewfish and tailor iluka

JEWFISH and tailor dominated catches during June here in the Clarence Valley, which is to be expected. I’ve been writing about it for 27 years now and it was happening long before Captain Cook touched down, so it amazes me the number of people still surprised by the yearly event that happens right along the coastline. Winter equals a lot …

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Preparation key to fishing success offshore

preparation success offshore

IN the build-up to winter, the Bundaberg area was experiencing little to no good weather for offshore fishing, and when a weekend finally arose, other commitments prevented me from heading out. But at long last a weekend came along when nothing stood in the way and once Friday night arrived, the boat was packed and the alarms set for the …

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$35,690 in fines for Brisbane black market fishers

fined black market activities brisbane black market fishing

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, …

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Marine plant damage costs Sunshine Coast company over $29,000

marine plant damage sunshine coast

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 …

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Innovative companies to develop automated fisheries monitoring

automated fisheries monitoring

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, …

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Fish light for a winter bite

fish light winter bite

WINTER has well and truly kicked in, with cold mornings and nippy wind, but it has been a pretty successful cold season so far, with plenty of fish caught inshore, offshore and in fresh water. Offshore anglers who fish light are enjoying good snapper fishing on small drop-offs using 3”-4” soft plastics on light 1/6oz and 1/4oz jig heads, which …

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$12,000 fine to deter fisheries black marketing

operation turbo reef illegal crab haul red handed crabbing rules queensland aussie salvage squad fined commercial fisher fined $12,000 deter black marketing

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 …

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