Barramundi protected over spawning period
Published Monday, 15 December, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Barramundi fishers are reminded that the annual closed season for barra is currently in place along Queensland’s east coast until midday, February 1, 2009.
The Gulf of Carpentaria closure is also in place until midday, February 2, 2009.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the closed season was aimed at protecting stocks of barramundi during their spawning period.
“Closed season ensures the longevity of fish stocks for current and future generations,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said closure dates differed from year to year and heavy fines were in place for fishers who did not follow the rules.
“The maximum penalty for a person taking or possessing a barramundi during the closed season is $75,000.”
“The timing of the closed season varies each year according to lunar and tide cycles coinciding with spawning peaks for the Gulf of Carpentaria,” he said.
“While the Gulf and east coast closed seasons meant barramundi couldn’t be taken, fishers could still ‘cast away’ at several of Queensland’s stocked impoundments – dams stocked with fish.”
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QPFP) district officer Mathew Davidson from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) said a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) costs fishers $7 for a week or $35 for a year.
“What’s great about fishing in an impoundment is that money raised by the SIP scheme is used to buy native fish fingerlings for stocking the 30 impoundments throughout Queensland in order to enhance local recreational fisheries.”
Closed seasons prevent people from fishing at certain times of the year to protect fish stocks during vulnerable times in their life cycle.
DPI&F-enforced closed seasons also apply to Australian bass, coral reef fin fish, spanner crabs and tropical spiny lobster at different times of the year.
For more information on closed seasons or obtaining a permit, go to the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media contact: Kristal Hargraves (07) 3239 3014
Media: Matt Watson 3239 3120
The Gulf of Carpentaria closure is also in place until midday, February 2, 2009.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the closed season was aimed at protecting stocks of barramundi during their spawning period.
“Closed season ensures the longevity of fish stocks for current and future generations,” he said.
Mr Mulherin said closure dates differed from year to year and heavy fines were in place for fishers who did not follow the rules.
“The maximum penalty for a person taking or possessing a barramundi during the closed season is $75,000.”
“The timing of the closed season varies each year according to lunar and tide cycles coinciding with spawning peaks for the Gulf of Carpentaria,” he said.
“While the Gulf and east coast closed seasons meant barramundi couldn’t be taken, fishers could still ‘cast away’ at several of Queensland’s stocked impoundments – dams stocked with fish.”
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QPFP) district officer Mathew Davidson from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) said a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) costs fishers $7 for a week or $35 for a year.
“What’s great about fishing in an impoundment is that money raised by the SIP scheme is used to buy native fish fingerlings for stocking the 30 impoundments throughout Queensland in order to enhance local recreational fisheries.”
Closed seasons prevent people from fishing at certain times of the year to protect fish stocks during vulnerable times in their life cycle.
DPI&F-enforced closed seasons also apply to Australian bass, coral reef fin fish, spanner crabs and tropical spiny lobster at different times of the year.
For more information on closed seasons or obtaining a permit, go to the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media contact: Kristal Hargraves (07) 3239 3014
Media: Matt Watson 3239 3120