Queensland fishing patrols focus on The Whitsundays

As part of the ongoing recognition of the golden anniversary of Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP), the State Fisheries Minister Leanne Donaldson visited the busy Whitsunday and Mackay coast regions over the weekend (October 22, 2016).

Meeting QBFB crew members at Airlie Beach, the Minister praised the officers for their tireless efforts to protect the region’s fisheries from illegal activity and for ensuring public safety on the water.

"This year is the golden anniversary of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol," Minister Donaldson said.

"It is a significant and historic milestone and here in Airlie Beach I want to take the opportunity to thank all those past and present employees who have served the region over the last 50 years.

"The crews play a critical role in ensuring fisheries resources and habitats are managed sustainably for the future and we all benefit from that.

"It is clear from the statistics that local fishers have great respect for the rules and regulations, but the officers are on constant guard for those who ignore the rules."

Minister Donaldson, who is the region for the Palaszczuk Government’s Whitsunday Community Cabinet meeting, took the opportunity to join a patrol from Airlie Beach.

THE WHITSUNDAYS COAST
The Whitsunday Coast district of Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol includes Airlie Beach, Mackay and Bowen.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol Airlie Beach originally operated as a sub-station of the Bowen office before becoming a station in its own right in the mid to late 1990s.

The Airlie Beach patrol originally had two locally-based officers. In 1990, the patrol vessel Edgecumbe was purchased and based at Airlie Beach for offshore reef fisheries.

The patrol vessel Finglas, purchased in 2008, is now berthed at Airlie Beach.

There are currently five Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers based at Airlie Beach, with four officers operating out of Mackay.  The officers work together when required.

QBFP officers conduct targeted patrols of known hot-spot areas and during busy periods.

Patrol officers also work in partnership with Queensland Police Service, Maritime Safety Queensland, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and Department of Environment and Heritage Protection as required.

AIRLIE BEACH COMPLIANCE
There is a very high level of compliance with fisheries regulations by recreational and commercial fishers at Airlie Beach — at 94 per cent compliance for 2015/16.

In 2015/16, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers at Airlie Beach conducted 813 inspections. A total of 38 offences were detected.

There were three court prosecutions, 15 Fisheries Infringement Notices were issued, and 15 official cautions were given. Fines of $37,697 were issued.

The most common fisheries-related offence at Airlie Beach was recreational fishers taking or possessing up to three fish regulated by size or up to three fish more than the regulated number.

MACKAY COMPLIANCE
There is a very high level of compliance with fisheries regulations by recreational and commercial fishers at Mackay — at 98 per cent compliance for 2015/16.

In 2015/16, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers at Airlie Beach conducted 1226 inspections.

A total of 57 offences were detected, 28 Fisheries Infringement Notices were issued, and 29 official cautions were given. Fines of $13,183 were issued.

The most common fisheries-related offence at Mackay was recreational fishers taking or possessing up to three fish regulated by size or up to thee fish more than the regulated number.

Fish within the legal limits. Download the Queensland Recreational Boating and Fishing Guide here.