July 9, 2015
A Sunshine Coast fish breeder has been fined $2617 for a number of offences, including the possession of 26 tilapia.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer Russell Overton said an investigation was undertaken when reports of illegal fish being advertised for sale on Gumtree were received from the public.
“In a joint investigation with Fisheries Queensland biologists and Queensland Water Police, a search warrant of the breeder’s property uncovered 26 tilapia, seven undersize mangrove jack and one undersize moses perch,” Mr Overton said.
“It is illegal to possess noxious fish such as tilapia alive or dead. They cannot be kept, hatched, reared or sold, or taken home for eating or any other purpose.
“If caught, they must be immediately killed and disposed of away from waterways, either by burial or disposal in a bin.
“The breeder was fined $569 for possession of tilapia and $910 for unlawful possession of the undersize mangrove jack and moses perch for trade or commerce.
“A caution notice was also issued for taking the fish from wild fisheries resources as aquaculture broodstock without a licence.
“Harvesting stock from Queensland waters for aquaculture requires a permit which can be obtained from Fisheries Queensland or purchased from an authorised wholesaler.”
The breeder was also fined $1138 under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 for failing to comply with aquaculture development codes.
Mr Overton said commercial aquaculture operations must comply with strict approval processes to ensure protection for the natural waterways and environment.
“QBFP will be conducting regular follow-up inspections on the property to ensure no further offences occur in the future,” he said.
“It is important that everyone abides by Queensland’s fisheries rules to assist long-term sustainability and resource sharing.”
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Three crabbers have been fined a total of $20,650 and had their fishing boat, motor, trailer and crab pots seized after they were caught with a stash of undersized and female crabs.
The three were caught in possession of 58 illegal crabs, stored in a hidden compartment in the floor of their vessel, during an interception by a Queensland Boating and Fisheries patrol near Victoria Point, Redlands.
Fisheries officer James Hohenhaus said the crabbers had been under extensive surveillance before officers stepped in.
“We watched the fishers for a number of hours from different locations and could see all of the fishers pulling up and checking crab pots,” Mr Hohenhaus said.
“On inspection, however, we only found five mud crabs and one legal bream, and a number of crab pots, and were concerned that the floor of the vessel had been modified.
“The fishers were given a written notice to deliver the vessel to the Redlands QBFP station for further inspection.
“During the inspection, officers used telescopic cameras and found a hidden compartment under the floor of the vessel.
“We proceeded to complete a full inspection of the boat and found 37 bags in the secret compartment containing 69 live mud crabs – 24 undersized male mud crabs, 34 female mud crabs and 11 legal male mud crabs.
“We seized the entire catch and returned all crabs alive to the water.”
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A Bundaberg fisherman has been fined $13,300 for a number of crabbing offences, including too many pots.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district manager Greg Bowness said the fine handed down by the Bundaberg Magistrates Court was for possessing female and undersized mud crabs and using excess crab pots.
“QBFP approached the crabber at a boat ramp in the Gregory River near Woodgate after seeing a quantity of crab pots stacked near his vessel,” Mr Bowness said.
“The crabber had a total of nine pots in his possession and on closer inspection, they were found to contain 40 female mud crabs and seven undersized mud crabs.”
“Officers seized the excess crab pots and the returned the crabs to the water alive.”
Anyone who suspects illegal fishing should report it to the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800-017-116.
