Fishing crook cops it
Repeat offender gets a $10,000 fine and loses boatA recreational fisher has been convicted and fined $10,000 and had his boat seized and forfeited to the State for illegal crabbing offences.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officer Chris Watts said the fine should serve as a warning to fishers to abide by the rules.
"QBFP followed and intercepted a vehicle towing a boat after it departed a boat ramp at Tingalpa Creek late at night," Mr Watts said.
"A search of the vehicle found 15 undersized mud crabs, 10 female mud crabs, three undersized male blue swimmer crabs, seven female blue swimmer crabs and 10 undersized yellow fin bream.
"Inspection of the boat found a further 18 undersized male mud crabs and nine female mud crabs concealed in the canopy of the vessel."
Mr Watts said the defendant was known to QBFP with previous offences recorded.
"In 2007, the defendant was convicted and fined $3250, and his boat seized and forfeited to the State, for possessing undersized fish and crabs as well as female mud crabs," he said.
"He also had a number of previous fisheries offences prior to 2007.
"The Magistrate noted the defendant’s blatant disregard for Queensland’s Fisheries Regulations and previous convictions when handing down the verdict."
You can report suspected illegal fishing activities in Queensland to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116.
For more information on fishing rules and regulations in Queensland, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
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