New fisheries patrol vessel for Gladstone

A new vessel for Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol at Gladstone will improve capability for fisheries compliance inspections in offshore waters.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner today inspected the new patrol boat at the recently re-opened Gladstone fisheries base.

“The new craft has been called ‘N.M. Frost’ in honour of Neville Frost, a long-serving Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officer,” Minister Furner said.

“The Queensland Government is delivering a world-class fisheries management system and supporting regional jobs through its $20 million investment in the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy.

“The 7.6 metre rigid hull inflatable boat means fisheries officers can patrol further offshore for longer periods of time in various weather conditions.

“The vessel replaces a smaller ageing boat and will patrol the Narrows and adjacent offshore waters, complementing the Gladstone station’s existing 4.3 metre boat.”

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the Palaszczuk Government re-opened the Gladstone fisheries patrol office as a priority in October last year and the arrival of this new state-of-the-art vessel will further enhance local fisheries compliance and monitoring.

“Delivering on the reopening of the Gladstone fisheries patrol office was one of my key priorities in my first term and it was great to see even further investment with the new patrol boat.

“Gladstone fishers should be commended for a high level of compliance with fisheries rules and regulations since the local QBFP base re-opened,” Mr Butcher said.

“In the first six months of operation, 510 inspections have been conducted, with a compliance rate of 95 per cent,” he said.

“A total of 18 offences have been detected, with fines of $3,782 issued.”

Fisheries patrol officers are pleased with the support they’ve received from all sectors of the local boating and fishing community and thank recreational and commercial fishers for their continued support.

Four officers are permanently stationed at Gladstone including two new recruits, employed when 20 additional positions were created across Queensland.

The extra frontline fisheries officers employed under the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy bring the total number to 109, boosting compliance numbers by more than 20 per cent.

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ENDS

Media: Tim Auguston 0417 768 626