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Sail-World.com : Fishing fines aren’t fun
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'To avoid fines and keep fishing fun, know the regulations.'
Jeni Bone
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Fishing should be about fun not about fines so to avoid getting caught out recreational fishers need to know and adhere to Queensland’s fishing regulations.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district officer Brett Depper said some fishing rules differed around Australia and it was vital to check local regulations before throwing a line in.
'Two important areas of recreational fishing regulation in Queensland are the ‘size’ and ‘possession’ limits,' Mr Depper said
'The possession limit, also known as a bag limit, refers to the number of fish a person may have in their possession at any time.
'For example, the possession limit for golden perch is 10, so someone living alone with three golden perch at home in the freezer can only catch and take home another seven golden perch.
'If three people live together and go fishing and each person catches 10 golden perch, they can keep 30 fish and take them back to the same residence.
'The individual possession limit is different to the ‘daily bag limit’ that’s in place in some other states and territories.'
Mr Depper said ‘fisheries infringement notices’ (FINS) could be issued ‘on the spot’ and these ranged from $200 to $400, depending on the severity of the offence.
'The maximum penalty for breaching this regulation is a court appearance and up to $100,000 fine - even one fish too many can mean a substantial fine.
'Possession limits are developed through careful research on what’s needed to keep Queensland’s fish numbers healthy.'
Mr Depper said the rules can change as our scientific knowledge of our fishery resources improves, so fishers should always make sure they have the latest information by going online to www.deedi.qld.gov.au, calling 13 25 23 or visiting the local QBFP office.
'QBFP officers on patrol have an expectation that fishers have done their research and know the rules before they go out fishing but we are more than happy to offer up-to-date information and advice,' he said.
Fish size limits can also differ around Australia. In Queensland there are not only limits on taking fish that are too small, but in some cases, fish that are too big as well.
'Size limits are based on research into each species’ reproductive cycles and minimum size limits let fish spawn at least once and contribute to the population before they are taken, we call this age at first maturity,' Mr Depper said.
'But in some species larger individuals contribute more to the population and that’s why maximum size limits can sometimes apply.
'For example, most barramundi begin their lives as males and later, as they grow larger, become females, so a maximum size limit for that species ensures females are able to develop and spawn.'
Mr Depper said no matter if fishers hoped to land a Murray cod or yellowbelly, a barcoo grunter or eel-tail catfish, learning the Queensland size and possession limits for each fish species should be the first thing they do.
'Locals and travellers want to know they and their families can continue to fish for years to come and the way to guarantee that is for everyone to do the right thing.'
According to Mr Depper, sometimes the right thing may add up to more than just following the regulations.
'In dry times waterways can become stressed and stop flowing and this can severely affect the movement and reproduction of fish species,' he said.
'So if waterways are looking low, the right thing to do might be not to fish a species to its ‘limit’, but take a few less and leave enough fish to comfortably replenish stocks.
'Helping to conserve Queensland’s fish species and share the catch around will make for plentiful fish stocks for the future and happy fishers.'
For more Fisheries Queensland information contact the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Call Centre on 13 25 23 or go to ‘Fisheries’ on www.deedi.qld.gov.au
by DEEDI
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10:04 PM Mon 12 Jul 2010 GMT
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