Fisheries.

[JEWIENEWIE]

Just thought i would share an experience with you. Over the years i have read many threads and posts regarding the way fisheries have dealt with them and i have steerd clear as i have never rerally been approached by them till now.
I have just returned from a camping fishin stint from agnes way an had my first real dealuing with them.
I was up at camp, organising the truck, and saw two quads coming up the beach which is real strange as you rarly get people coming up where i camp. They came straight up to my camp ond with no hello how are you mate whats happening proceede to walk straight over to my boat which was on its trailer.
I was no more than 10m from them and they proceeded to start poking around the insode of my boat, again not a word said to myself at all.
I pproached the two fisheries officers and said hello, beautiful day, what can i help you with. Again not even a hello, i thought well this is going well. My thought shifted to ausfish threads and thought why in the hell these guys are being so arrogant. The sun is shining, crystal clear water and they are cruising around the beach on quads, not a bad day at the office i would of thought.
Now, i am not to keen on complete strangers going through my gear so i a little more sternly asked if i could help them with something. There response was to hassle me about my boat rego.
I had an old rego sticker on her, and not the new one as my business pays the bills, through my bookeeper, ande i had not grabbed the sticker to put in the boat before i left. The lecture went on and on about it with attitude, Then he says something like he cant fine me because it is on the trailer and not on the water and that is the water poiice job anyway!
Then he spys my nsw rego plates, sees my drag net then proceeds to tell me that it is illegal in nsw to have, and even to buy, where did i get it from in nsw!
By this time i was getting sick of the attitude i was recieving and said, "no shit mate, thats why i couldnt find one and had to get one in qld"
With that they both got on there quads and left. Not even a goodbye.
They may have had relevant issues with me, thats not my gripe, my gripe is the bloody attitude they served up to me.
No wonder they are getting a bad name with some people.
Jewie

[CreelReaper]

Mate, I feel for you. Sounds like you did the right thing though and kept it cool. You are right though, it doesn't take much to pass some pleasantries and a g'day to someone, especially when in uniform. Makes you wonder if they are in the right job when in heaven they can't even respond with politeness.

Shane

[JEWIENEWIE]

Thats all i was pissed about mate, not even a hello, attitude attitude........
jewie

[Benno1]

you're right Watta...it doesnt take much to be polite...just for some ppl...they get a complex when they put a uniform on..."im better than you and ill do what i like"...its a damn shame you had to go through that Jewie...just think you wouldnt have a soured veiw of the fisheries if those blokes had been nicer about what they were doing...it only takes a few rotten apples to spoil the barrel tho doesnt it...
just my oppinion tho...

(Mrs Benno1)

[FNQCairns]

Drag nets are not illegal in NSW, I had one, it does need to be inspected and tagged, unless these last few years the law changed, no good reason for it though.

MMMmmm so what particular ranch do these cowboys hail from?

cheers fnq

[slyman]

Get on to the nearest office and lodge a complaint with the district manager, tell them the day and the time that it occurred. Officers are required to keep a field log detailing when and where they went. The office should be able to identify who they were. Also write or email, not only to their office but to head office, lodge the complaint formally, it will be the most effective way of having inappropriate behaviour dealt with.

Remind them of their Code of Ethics, they must respect and uphold the rights of all clients, and they must act honestly and with utmost integrity. Remind them of their need for professionalism, and carrying out duties without ill will.

When they were poking around in your boat, did they climb into the boat while on the trailer or did they just poke around while looking over the side? They may be in breach of Fisheries Act Part 8 Enforcement, Division 2 Powers of inspectors for places boats or vehicles, Section 146 Boarding of boats and entry to vehicles, #3 Before boarding an unattended boat or entering an unattended vehicle under this section, the inspector must take reasonable steps to advise its owner, or the person in control of it, of the intention to board or enter.

[Freeeedom]

I would have thought they were obliged to identify themselves to you and show necessary identification if requested before they were permitted to inspect your vessel, equipment or catch. As Slyman suggested, I'd be lodging an official complaint in writing about their behaviour. If you complain in writing they must investigate the complaint - if you complain verbally they can (and will) ignore it.
Cheers Freeeedom

[Volvo]

Haveta be honest n say ive always been treated with politeness n respect on every occasion ive been inspected by a Fisheries Officer but of late ive been buying a fair share of my Fish suplies from local Coop and a coupla times ive been stunned by the size of some of the whole fish theyve had up for sale!!!..AND quite openly on display!!!..
Dont the Fisheries go inspecting those premises ??,are they for us Fishos only and a different department inspect the retailers???..
Hence my respect for them has dwindled somewhat as whats fair for one should be fair for all...
One might say YEP but they cant keep watch on everyone at all times but a retail outlet to so arrogantly display and sell undersized fish??...
Or maybe there's a bycatch law allowing it??...

[RAT-KING]

Im sure the fisheries get treated the same way police do like dimwits calling them pigs etc. but a bit of politeness goes along way if they dont theyr're reputation will get worse!
Cheers Simon

[For Steve]

I've only ever been treated politely by the B&F Patrol in Moreton Bay. Just goes to show how a couple of cowboys can tarnish a reputation. I'm sure their bosses would like to hear about it. I'd definately be putting in a written complaint. Good on you for keeping your cool.

Regards
Brad

[slyman]

I would have thought they were obliged to identify themselves to you and show necessary identification if requested before they were permitted to inspect your vessel, equipment or catch. As Slyman suggested, I'd be lodging an official complaint in writing about their behaviour. If you complain in writing they must investigate the complaint - if you complain verbally they can (and will) ignore it.
Cheers Freeeedom

From the act: Part 8-Enforcement, Division 1-Inspectors, Section 144-Production or display of inspectors identity card, Subsection 2: An inspector may exercise a power under this act in relation to a person if -
(a) the inspector first produces the inspectors identity card for inspection by the person; or
(b) the inspector has the inspectors identity card displyed so that it is clearly visible to the person

and

subsection 3: However, if for any reason , it is not practicable to comply with subsection 2, the inspector must produce the identity card for inspection by the person at the first reasonable opportunity.

Like Freedom says, by complaining in writing it has to be investigated, by keeping a copy for yourself you have evidence of the correspondance, by complaining both to the district manager of the office they came from, and to the head office, the district manager is copping it from two sides: a public complaint in writing, and also a "please explain?" from his superior.

[outsiderskip]

i was pulled up at ramp at mooloolaba last week
they were polite and asked if they could go thru my boat
they asked for my masters ticket which i showed them
only to get a phone call next day to say it was obsolite
had to get new one before fishing again.i had bit of trouble getting all qualifications with so short of time so i downgraded my ticket to a restricted coxswains
now legal again they could have thrown the book at me but were good as my ticket did say pepetual

pete

[ffejsmada]

Yep, always had pleasant meetings with them myself.

To me it sounds like someone dobbed you in and told porky's for some unknown reason. (did you put anyone's nose out of joint up there????)
That might explain why they came on so strong.

But then again, even if some swine did want to cause trouble for you, The fisheries boys should have at least shown some decorum and their ID's at least.

I'd be writing a letter as well.

Cheers.

[gunna]

I was inspected on the water at Caloundra on Saturday. Couple very friendly and relaxed fellas. Course all was ok - might have been different if they found anything wrong. The interesting bit was when they asked if I had a boat licence. I said yep and that was good enough for them.

[rod_m27]

Once They asked to me reverse upto there boat and for a split second I had the motor the wrong way(under no thrust, just put into reverse) and then i heard "well now we know you dont have a license." and the attitude continued, looked like somebody showing power off to a new guy.

All other times been fine.

[djgtom]

I come across 2 fisheries blokes today at mulwala. i had retrieved my boat and they pulled their boat next to mine in the parking area.

tried my best to strike up a conversation with them.
It was like trying to extract blood from a stone, i think they do a important job and wish i was one sometimes when i see ol blokes with a boat full of cod.

gee it's not hard to say gidday and be civil i reckon.

It was abit dissapointing::)

deano

[tunaticer]

I'm wondering how long it will be before us fishos will need to have a video camera rolling for all chance encounters with anybody just to prove we are in the right and not being justly treated.

Jack.

[NAGG]

It sounds like fisheries are not recruiting very well:-/ .
My dealings with fisheries to date have been quite polite & cordial ......... with a boarding at sea once which I would describe as efficient!.

Regardless ....... These guys should observe common courtesy / decency! ..... After all their job is part PR

Nagg

[JEWIENEWIE]

Slyman, they didnt board my boat, but did go poking around a canvas bag that had my drag net in and a few other things. Just really dissapointing to see there arrogance and damn right rudeness. When i first saw them and realised they were fsiheries, i thought great, they should be good for a mag and a bit of a fishing report, mate, how far from the mark was i.
Jewie

[slyman]

Yeah you'd think that because they have to deal with the public on a daily basis, that there would be a little bit of politeness and courtesy, how hard is to say "g'day mate I'm from the fisheries patrol, do you mind if I have a bit of a look around"?

Infact, the couple of times I've had contact with them, they have been quite polite and asked how the fishing was going, how our day was going, what sort of fish do you catch here, they've even asked about plastics and if they work before they even broached the subject of having a look in the esky.

Just because they are the authority, doesn't mean they have to display that cold hard face of authority. They'll get a lot more respect from everyone if they can converse and relate on a level that treats everyone as an equal, they can go the cold hard face of authority when the situation requires it, not all the time.

After hearing some negative stories about them, I think some of them may need to brush up on their public relations.

[bondy99]

Just thought i would share an experience with you. Over the years i have read many threads and posts regarding the way fisheries have dealt with them and i have steerd clear as i have never rerally been approached by them till now.
I have just returned from a camping fishin stint from agnes way an had my first real dealuing with them.
I was up at camp, organising the truck, and saw two quads coming up the beach which is real strange as you rarly get people coming up where i camp. They came straight up to my camp ond with no hello how are you mate whats happening proceede to walk straight over to my boat which was on its trailer.
I was no more than 10m from them and they proceeded to start poking around the insode of my boat, again not a word said to myself at all.
I pproached the two fisheries officers and said hello, beautiful day, what can i help you with. Again not even a hello, i thought well this is going well. My thought shifted to ausfish threads and thought why in the hell these guys are being so arrogant. The sun is shining, crystal clear water and they are cruising around the beach on quads, not a bad day at the office i would of thought.
Now, i am not to keen on complete strangers going through my gear so i a little more sternly asked if i could help them with something. There response was to hassle me about my boat rego.
I had an old rego sticker on her, and not the new one as my business pays the bills, through my bookeeper, ande i had not grabbed the sticker to put in the boat before i left. The lecture went on and on about it with attitude, Then he says something like he cant fine me because it is on the trailer and not on the water and that is the water poiice job anyway!
Then he spys my nsw rego plates, sees my drag net then proceeds to tell me that it is illegal in nsw to have, and even to buy, where did i get it from in nsw!
By this time i was getting sick of the attitude i was recieving and said, "no shit mate, thats why i couldnt find one and had to get one in qld"
With that they both got on there quads and left. Not even a goodbye.
They may have had relevant issues with me, thats not my gripe, my gripe is the bloody attitude they served up to me.
No wonder they are getting a bad name with some people.
Jewie

Hello Jewie.

Sorry to hear you had unfriendly encounter and you should report these cowboys

The District Manager for your area (Bob Grimsley) - (unless he is retired) based in Cairns should be contacted . Write down the times, dates and what took place, as Freeeedom said, they should have introduced themselves in a professional manner, these are suppose to be the representatives of the agency. I should know, I undertook two days training, never got the job, 20 people for 2 jobs in Qld, even had a Federal Copper from Canberra applying, she hates the cold and wants to come back home to the Sunshine coast.

I'm not a fisheries officer just a researcher and a keen angler myself.

Peter

[royslaven]

Sorry to hear about your experiance mate. i,ve been checked a few times and never had a problem on the water, but i would have a very serious problem with them if somebody started nosing around in my boat without properly identifying themselves....... thems fightin words varmint..... cheers ,roy.

[nigelr]

Sorry to hear of your encounter, JN.
Lack of professionalism, at the least, IMHO.
My only experience with Fisheries was on the Bellinger year before last.
Two young fellas in their twenties, they were absolute gems, cheerful, friendly and polite.
Hopefully the cowboys you met are the exception rather than the rule.
Cheers.

[JEWIENEWIE]

After having a chat to a local who came up for a fish, i told him of my encouter. He decriribed the main guy doing all the talking to a tee and said that there are a few people in Bundy who would like to see him on crutches so i guess he wasnt having a bad day just a comlpete idiot who lacks the skills of common courtesy!
The things that pisses me off is taht now when i see a fisheries officer, my past encouter may jade with how i deal with them.
Jewie