Boaters, fishers follow COVID-19 rules out on the water

Boating and fishing are still permitted in every state and territory of Australia apart from Victoria where both are classed as a non-essential activity. In the places where they are permitted, as long as boaters and fishers follow the strict social isolation rules, they can continue to get out on the water.

Police and marine authorities in both NSW and Queensland have all told boatsales.com.au that they were happy with the level of compliance from boaters and fishers over the long weekend.

In NSW, some fishers have been issued with $1000 fines for not complying with the strict Stage 3 COVID-19 isolation rules that require people who do not live in the same household to stay at least 1.5 metres away from each other.

NSW Police Marine Area Command said it had not issued any fines, although a number of people out on the water had been warned or cautioned about adhering to the strict social guidelines.

In Queensland, Maritime Safety Queensland and partner agencies Queensland Police, Boating and Fisheries Patrol, and Parks and Wildlife conducted a joint compliance and education campaign over the Easter long weekend.

The campaign focused mainly on South East Queensland between the Noosa River and Nerang River systems on the Gold Coast as well as east of Moreton Island - traditionally some of the state’s busiest waterways.

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Angus Mitchell said about 700 of the 2500 vessels observed were intercepted.

"Less than a quarter of these intercepts resulted in further action such as cautions or marine infringements," Mitchell said.

"Operation teams estimated about 85 per cent of boaties met their COVID-19 compliance requirements.

"We are still compiling data, however, early figures indicate only about 70 directions were issued for vessels to return to shore with a similar number electing to return when made aware of COVID-related concerns."

Queensland Police also patrolled North Stradbroke Island, where a strict quarantine is in force.

Since the quarantine was introduced on March 26, police have stopped 31 vehicles and 70 people from travelling to the island. On the water, police and marine authorities have stopped 504 vessels that were either in or near the exclusion zone around the island.

Queensland Police said a small number of infringement notices had been issued, although most people spoken to had complied with the restrictions.

In Victoria, where both recreational fishing and boating are banned, police have performed more than 20,900 spot checks with some boaters and fishers who pushed the boundaries of the social distancing rules saying they had been fined more than $1600.

However, most infringements in the state were handed out to people defying the rules to host social gatherings, including four people who attended a barbecue at a Brighton beach box over Easter.

Despite being locked off the water, the state’s anglers and boaters will still need to stump up full boat registration and fishing licence fees.

According to Maritime Safety Victoria, the money is still needed for improving recreational boating facilities, safety and education programs, navigation aids and signage, marine search and rescue services and “a range of other recreational boating services and projects across Victoria”.

“This money also funds the water police and Maritime Safety Victoria compliance officers who are continuing to patrol the waterways,” MSV said.

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria has called on the State Government to reclassify boating and fishing as an approved activity, as well as allowing boat owners to have their vessels serviced.

BIAV is also campaigning for recreational boaters to regain access to public boat ramps, which are currently closed off to everyone other than commercial boat operators.