Reel in app to tackle fishing rules

Recreational fishers are being urged to stay up to date with Queensland’s fishing rules and regulations by downloading the latest version of a popular app.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the free ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app was a great way to get access to the state’s fishing rules and regulations while out fishing

“Using the ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app ensures recreational fishers have all the information they need and are not being misinformed by internet searches that often take them to information that is, in some cases, many years out of date,” Mr Furner said.

“For example, a Google search for ‘pipi qld’ finds a Facebook post from January 2013 with information that, although accurate at the time, is now out of date and searching ‘mollusc collecting Moreton Bay’ similarly points users to incorrect information.

“Recreational fishers should do the right thing and ensure they have access to fishing rules and regulations by downloading the ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app from the App Store or Google Play."

Mr Furner said, on average since its release in October 2020, more than 80 responsible anglers each day had downloaded the ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app to ensure they had the latest information about the do’s and don’ts of fishing in Queensland.

“Every bit as important as having the right bait and tackle to catch fish is having the right information when it comes to the rules and regulations for fishing,” Mr Furner said.

“Importantly, the user-friendly ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app works in remote locations or in areas with limited mobile signal reception and many of the app’s features, including ‘Can I Fish Here’, rules, and species information, can be used while offline.

“Downloading and using the ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app will help recreational fishers to better understand and comply with fishing rules and regulations and protect Queensland’s valuable fisheries resources for future generations to enjoy.

“Fishers’ privacy is protected as the app does not collect or store personal information about the user or where they are fishing, and photos of fish are only used to help train the app’s artificial intelligence.”

Qld Fishing 2.0’s functionality allows users to:

• Submit a photo and identify their catch through cutting edge fish recognition technology;
  
  
• Understand the fishing rules in any location with the ‘Can I Fish Here’ feature;
  
  
• Receive Fisheries Queensland notifications including reminders about upcoming fishing closures;
  
  
• Buy a permit to fish in Queensland’s 63 stocked dams and weirs;
  
  
• Learn more about their catch such as approximate age based on the fish size entered in the app; and
  
  
• Contact Fisheries Queensland to submit information or make an enquiry or complaint.

Download the free Qld Fishing 2.0 app via the App Store or Google Play.

The Queensland recreational boating and fishing guide: 2019–2020 is available at daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/recreational/recreational-fishing-rules.

QBFP relies on the support of the public to help protect the state’s valuable fisheries resources for future generations.

People who suspect illegal fishing activity should make a report to the 24 hour toll-free Fishwatch hotline which is 1800 017 116.

ENDS

Media contact:          Ron Goodman            0427 781 920