FISHERS RESPOND TO REEF FISH CLOSURE
Published Tuesday, 23 October, 2007 at 02:27 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin has commended commercial and recreational fishers for complying with the first coral reef fin fish spawning closure for 2007.
“Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers stepped up their surveillance of recreational and commercial fishing activities during the closure, which ran from October 5 to 13, recording just two breaches,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Fishers appear to be well aware of the nine-day coral reef fin fish closures around the new moon phases in October, November and December.”
Seasonal spawning closures are implemented annually to protect the spawning aggregations of most coral reef fish species in Queensland coastal waters north of Latitude 24 degrees 50 minutes South which is located north of Waddy Point on Fraser Island and near to the mouth of the Burnett River.
The remaining 2007 coral reef fin fish closures will run from:
• Midnight on November 2 to midnight November 11, and
• Midnight December 2 until midnight on December 11
These closures apply to all commercial, charter and recreational boaties.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officer Aaron McAdam based in Gladstone said that even if fish are caught prior to the closure period, it is an offence to possess any reef fish species aboard the vessel.
“As an example, the master of a recreational vessel that returned to Gladstone Harbour during the coral reef fin fish closed season from a fishing excursion to Swain Reef from September 29 to October 8 was subsequently charged with possession of 25-30kg of reef fish during the closure,” Mr McAdam said.
“Another two people aboard this vessel were also charged with the possession of reef fish and faced further charges of filleting reef fish under 40cm in length.”
Mackay Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officer Richard Conroy said local recreational fishers were out in force during the first coral reef fin fish closed period but were following the rules.
“Fishers were happily targeting the annual mackerel run and fishing inshore for estuarine fish species,” Mr Conway said.
“From the many vessel inspections undertaken, Mackay-based officers issued just one on-the-spot $300 coral reef fin fish closure infringement notice to a recreational fisher in possession of one coral trout near St Bees Island.”
A complete list of the coral reef fin fish species together with Queensland’s fishing regulations can be found on the fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.au/fishweb or from the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media:
Minister’s office 32396530
DPI&F: 49360320
“Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers stepped up their surveillance of recreational and commercial fishing activities during the closure, which ran from October 5 to 13, recording just two breaches,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Fishers appear to be well aware of the nine-day coral reef fin fish closures around the new moon phases in October, November and December.”
Seasonal spawning closures are implemented annually to protect the spawning aggregations of most coral reef fish species in Queensland coastal waters north of Latitude 24 degrees 50 minutes South which is located north of Waddy Point on Fraser Island and near to the mouth of the Burnett River.
The remaining 2007 coral reef fin fish closures will run from:
• Midnight on November 2 to midnight November 11, and
• Midnight December 2 until midnight on December 11
These closures apply to all commercial, charter and recreational boaties.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officer Aaron McAdam based in Gladstone said that even if fish are caught prior to the closure period, it is an offence to possess any reef fish species aboard the vessel.
“As an example, the master of a recreational vessel that returned to Gladstone Harbour during the coral reef fin fish closed season from a fishing excursion to Swain Reef from September 29 to October 8 was subsequently charged with possession of 25-30kg of reef fish during the closure,” Mr McAdam said.
“Another two people aboard this vessel were also charged with the possession of reef fish and faced further charges of filleting reef fish under 40cm in length.”
Mackay Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officer Richard Conroy said local recreational fishers were out in force during the first coral reef fin fish closed period but were following the rules.
“Fishers were happily targeting the annual mackerel run and fishing inshore for estuarine fish species,” Mr Conway said.
“From the many vessel inspections undertaken, Mackay-based officers issued just one on-the-spot $300 coral reef fin fish closure infringement notice to a recreational fisher in possession of one coral trout near St Bees Island.”
A complete list of the coral reef fin fish species together with Queensland’s fishing regulations can be found on the fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.au/fishweb or from the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media:
Minister’s office 32396530
DPI&F: 49360320