Photo: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Crabber Fined $10,000 and Loses Boat, Motor and Trailer

A RECREATIONAL crabber fined $10,000 and convicted of fishing offences had his fishing boat, motor and trailer confiscated after pleading guilty to numerous fishing offences in the Ayr Magistrates’ Court recently.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer Robert Ibell said the penalties should serve as deterrence to the wider community.

“In handing down the penalty, the magistrate stated that fishing is a privilege, not a right and laws should be observed,” Mr Ibell said.

“The order for the forfeit of the fishing vessel, motor and trailer sends out a clear message to the fisher and others who might be tempted to commit such offences in the future.

“Early last year, fisheries officers intercepted the fisher and found five undersize fish, three female mud crabs, three undersize male mud crabs and four unmarked pots.” Mr Ibell said the man is a repeat offender who was convicted and fined $8000 in 2014 for fishing offences.

“The magistrate regarded the offending as a deliberate, conscious and repeated flouting of the laws,” he said.

“Recreational fishers should follow fisheries regulations to ensure resources will be around for current and future generations.”

The boat, motor and trailer will go to auction. For more information on Queensland fishing rules, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23. You can follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@FisheriesQld). l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l

About Bush 'n Beach Fishing mag

Check Also

Barramundi

Northern Territory must act to protect barramundi fishery

The Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory, the peak body representing the recreational fishing …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *