Illegal netting nets big fine

A tip off from a concerned member of the public has led to a fisher being fined $12,000 in the Townsville Magistrates Court for a range of fishing offences.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said over the course of a month, the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol had monitored the fisher’s activities in Blacksoil Creek south of Townsville through active surveillance including drones.

“This is a great example of QBFP using the latest technology to build a case against repeated offending,” Mr Furner said.

The fisher pleaded guilty to possessing:

• 2 fishing nets
• unmarked crab pot
• 17 undersize mud crab
• 3 barramundi less than 58cm
• 1 giant queen fish less than 50cm
• 3 mud crab claws without the carapace
• 5 female mud crab claws without the carapace
• 8 mud crabs in excess of the limit.

Mr Furner said while the vast majority of fishers did the right thing, offenders would be detected and they would be prosecuted.

“QBFP first became aware of this fisher’s activities as a result of information provided via the toll-free 24-hour Fishwatch 1800 017 116 Hotline,” he said.

“All fishers need to be aware of the laws that ensure the sustainability of our fisheries resources.

“This prosecution outcome is a powerful reminder offending is not supported by our community and penalties can be severe.”

For information on Queensland’s fishing regulations, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free ‘Qld Fishing’ app from Apple and Google app stores.

ENDS

Media contact:           Ron Goodman            0427 781 920