Too many little pipis can result in big fines
Published Friday, 19 December, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Digging for pipis can be a lot of fun and they are some of the best bait for fishing, but it’s important to remember hefty fines are in place for over-collecting the molluscs along Queensland beaches.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said a limit of 50 pipis per person was in place.
“There is a take and possession limit of 50 per person for all molluscs in Queensland except oysters, and heavy fines will be issued if fishers are caught with more than this legal limit,” Mr Mulherin said.
“If fishers are found to have more than 15 pipis over the bag limit they will receive a summons to appear in the local Magistrates Court to determine a penalty – the maximum being 1000 penalty units.
“This can quickly add up, considering one penalty unit currently stands at $75, and, from January 1, 2009, the penalty unit will increase to $100.
“Even having one or two pipis over the limit will incur a $150 on-the-spot fine,” he said.
“The pipi is also known as the Coorong cockle, Goolwa cockle, surf clam or ugari and is a bi-valve mollusc that uses its strong foot to burrow centimetres below the sand’s surface along the shoreline.
“The smooth, triangular-shaped shells vary in colour from off-pink to bluish-grey or reddish-brown, and can grow to 8cm in length.
“Pipi shells have been found in Aboriginal midden sites dating back 2000 years, and pipis still remain an important part of the diet of Aborigines.
“They can be boiled or cooked on the barbecue hotplate, and are among some of the best bait for fishing, with many species such as bream, whiting, dart, tailor and flathead caught on the pipi’s brown and cream-coloured flesh,” Mr Mulherin said.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district officer Mathew Davidson, from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), said pipi restrictions were in place in Queensland to ensure sustainable stocks for the future.
“This limit helps to contain excessive catches and focuses public attention on the need for a strong conservation ethic amongst recreational fishers,” he said.
“Pipis can be caught all year round – just go down to the beach and start digging your feet into the wet sand and you’ll feel them,” Mr Davidson said.
“Just remember to count them and throw back any excess before you leave the beach.”
Fishers should expect QBFP officers to be inspecting beaches, boat ramps, popular fishing spots, camp sites, tourist parks, wharfs, marinas, seaways, rock groins, islands and beach-side campouts, both day and night, on weekends, public holidays and on school holidays.
For more information on pipis and bag limits, go to the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Caption: The soft flesh inside the pipi’s hard shell is a popular bait for various fish species
Photos available upon request
Media contact: Matt Watson 3239 3120
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said a limit of 50 pipis per person was in place.
“There is a take and possession limit of 50 per person for all molluscs in Queensland except oysters, and heavy fines will be issued if fishers are caught with more than this legal limit,” Mr Mulherin said.
“If fishers are found to have more than 15 pipis over the bag limit they will receive a summons to appear in the local Magistrates Court to determine a penalty – the maximum being 1000 penalty units.
“This can quickly add up, considering one penalty unit currently stands at $75, and, from January 1, 2009, the penalty unit will increase to $100.
“Even having one or two pipis over the limit will incur a $150 on-the-spot fine,” he said.
“The pipi is also known as the Coorong cockle, Goolwa cockle, surf clam or ugari and is a bi-valve mollusc that uses its strong foot to burrow centimetres below the sand’s surface along the shoreline.
“The smooth, triangular-shaped shells vary in colour from off-pink to bluish-grey or reddish-brown, and can grow to 8cm in length.
“Pipi shells have been found in Aboriginal midden sites dating back 2000 years, and pipis still remain an important part of the diet of Aborigines.
“They can be boiled or cooked on the barbecue hotplate, and are among some of the best bait for fishing, with many species such as bream, whiting, dart, tailor and flathead caught on the pipi’s brown and cream-coloured flesh,” Mr Mulherin said.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district officer Mathew Davidson, from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), said pipi restrictions were in place in Queensland to ensure sustainable stocks for the future.
“This limit helps to contain excessive catches and focuses public attention on the need for a strong conservation ethic amongst recreational fishers,” he said.
“Pipis can be caught all year round – just go down to the beach and start digging your feet into the wet sand and you’ll feel them,” Mr Davidson said.
“Just remember to count them and throw back any excess before you leave the beach.”
Fishers should expect QBFP officers to be inspecting beaches, boat ramps, popular fishing spots, camp sites, tourist parks, wharfs, marinas, seaways, rock groins, islands and beach-side campouts, both day and night, on weekends, public holidays and on school holidays.
For more information on pipis and bag limits, go to the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Caption: The soft flesh inside the pipi’s hard shell is a popular bait for various fish species
Photos available upon request
Media contact: Matt Watson 3239 3120