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Fitzy
11-04-2002, 07:55 AM
The following is a copy of a QFS press release
8 April 2002

Dam fines!
The Department of Primary Industries is urging fishers to remember they now face hefty fines for fishing without a permit in 25 of Queensland’s dams.

DPI Queensland Fisheries Service senior policy officer, Michelle Hollaway, said a review of recent court cases had shown that fishers were being fined between $360 and $400 for fishing without a permit, plus court costs.

“Fishers are also being fined $180 for not taking their permit out with them while fishing,” Ms Hollaway said.

“Magistrates are viewing these breaches as a serious offence and are aware of the high costs involved with fish stocking. As an example, Leslie Dam, near Warwick, requires about $25,000 worth of fish each year to maintain fishing at optimum levels.”

Permits cost $35 a year or $7 a week and can be issued to an individual or a couple. People under 18 years of age are not required to hold a permit. They are available from small businesses near the dams, as well as Australia Post offices. One permit covers all 25 dams.

The DPI Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QB&FP) officers have issued a total of 51 breaches and 37 cautions to fishers without permits since its introduction.

The Stocked Impoundment Permit scheme requires a fisher using a set line or fishing line in any of the 25 dams listed to hold a permit.

The permits were introduced in July 2000, and enforced by the QB&FP from August 2001.

“Seventy-five per cent of all money collected through the permit scheme is used to enhance the fishery, mostly through the purchase of fish for stocking,” Ms Hollaway said.



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Further information: Michelle Hollaway (07) 3227 7259 / 0428 715 498
Fisheries Media Coordinator: Lisa Connors (07) 3224 7757
Department of Primary Industries Media Unit:
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 Fax (07) 3239 0860
DPI Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23

Fitzy
11-04-2002, 07:59 AM
From the Warwick newspaper recently:

fines for Coolmunda and Leslie. 12 anglers no sip $360 each. 1 angler sip not carried with him $180. 2 anglers within exclusion zone at Leslie and no sip $600 each Quote Magistrate Gordon Dean said the fines might seem high but the public had to be aware fish stocking was an expensive business.End Quote.