Published Friday, 02 February, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
NETTING IN CLOSED WATERS ATTRACTS HEFTY FINE
The State Government’s strong stance against illegal fishing was again enforced this week when a commercial fisher was fined over $2000 in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to two charges relating to fishing in closed waters.
The fisher was charged with unlawfully contravening a closed waters declaration by possessing a net in closed waters off Fraser Island, and using a boat to take fish while not the holder of a current and valid authority.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin, stressed the importance of the closed waters, which were introduced by the Queensland Government in 2003 under the Fisheries Act 1994 to protect valuable species and ensure the sustainability of the industry.
“It’s important for commercial and recreational fishers to understand that these closures were implemented to not only address fair access for Queensland tailor stocks, but to also protect our valued natural resources,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It is also extremely vital that members of the public help catch illegal fishers by providing any information they have.
“We would not have detected this particular offence without the information that was supplied to the Department by those who were justifiably concerned about the illegal activity,” he said.
The fisher was in possession of the net in closed waters with two bins of sea mullet being cleared from the net. The fisherman’s vessel, net and mullet were seized by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers.
Mr Mulherin praised the work undertaken by QBFP officers and said it was a good result.
“This case should serve as a warning to all illegal fishers – QBFP officers are willing and able to access remote locations to apprehend fishers engaged in unlawful acts,” he said.
The waters between Tooloora Creek and North Ngkala Rocks are closed to commercial netting from April 1 to September 1 annually. Additionally, the waters between Hook Point and Northern Tip of Fraser Island are closed to commercial netting between September 1 and April 1 annually.
For more information on closure times and regulations a guide to Recreational fishing rules and regulations for Queensland is available from local information and tackle stores or on-line by visiting www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Media: 323 93120
The fisher was charged with unlawfully contravening a closed waters declaration by possessing a net in closed waters off Fraser Island, and using a boat to take fish while not the holder of a current and valid authority.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin, stressed the importance of the closed waters, which were introduced by the Queensland Government in 2003 under the Fisheries Act 1994 to protect valuable species and ensure the sustainability of the industry.
“It’s important for commercial and recreational fishers to understand that these closures were implemented to not only address fair access for Queensland tailor stocks, but to also protect our valued natural resources,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It is also extremely vital that members of the public help catch illegal fishers by providing any information they have.
“We would not have detected this particular offence without the information that was supplied to the Department by those who were justifiably concerned about the illegal activity,” he said.
The fisher was in possession of the net in closed waters with two bins of sea mullet being cleared from the net. The fisherman’s vessel, net and mullet were seized by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers.
Mr Mulherin praised the work undertaken by QBFP officers and said it was a good result.
“This case should serve as a warning to all illegal fishers – QBFP officers are willing and able to access remote locations to apprehend fishers engaged in unlawful acts,” he said.
The waters between Tooloora Creek and North Ngkala Rocks are closed to commercial netting from April 1 to September 1 annually. Additionally, the waters between Hook Point and Northern Tip of Fraser Island are closed to commercial netting between September 1 and April 1 annually.
For more information on closure times and regulations a guide to Recreational fishing rules and regulations for Queensland is available from local information and tackle stores or on-line by visiting www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Media: 323 93120