Lucky_Phill
03-05-2017, 06:27 PM
Is a 3rd time, strike ! you are out ?
A $10,000 fine is what a commercial angler copped after illegally fishing at Swains Reef, off Gladstone.
The commercial reef line fishing dory operator received the fine after being caught in a no-take green zone in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for the THIRD TIME !!!!!!!.
The dory operator was recently convicted in Gladstone Magistrates Court after his dory was detected by a surveillance aircraft in a green zone at the Swain Reefs in February 2016.
The court heard the dory operator had two prior convictions following aircraft detections of his dory in marine park green zones.
"This case shows people who choose to ignore the law and engage in illegal activity in the marine park run the risk of considerable fines,” said Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority field management director Richard Quincey.
"We take these offences seriously.”
Mr Quincey said illegal fishing undermined the effectiveness of the network of green zones, which were designed to conserve the reef's biodiversity.
"We're doing all we can to reduce illegal fishing and other activity that harms the reef, including taking increasingly serious action against offenders,” he said.
"This is particularly important now with the reef's health under pressure from consecutive mass coral bleaching events, the impact of cyclones and an ongoing crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak.
"All marine park users can play their part by making sure they don't fish in green zones, anchor on or otherwise damage coral, and can report any illegal activity they see.”
Aircraft and vessel patrols in the marine park are conducted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Maritime Border Command, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol, and Queensland Police.
Reports of suspected illegal activity can be made anonymously by calling the 24-hour hotline on 1800 380 048 or online at www.gbrmpa.gov.au/report-an-incident (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gbrmpa.gov.au%2Freport-an-incident&h=ATPnx4IkoE0KacAVwJeo4nEF5S3LHKfkFWD5ak-LjcEYsNNXrA479gX4QLR09AUDcSQtsIAZclVdRdeTRx2CTJ8fm lbMkTbWtYxzQV9NxuZFNzc4DdIUH9fFtFQqcmf3TJnW7XO1wJy D&enc=AZNIbgqjAOXXFEl6wqjY0fAE1oqqYnVTxG9Y5AzYn4JWp8 jaul5k3id0PaiXtlW6_KdndxnbDy4rERiUGUQEXYHXersoADC1 kuIjknGQptk765yhfzkqFZ9gPT_Y1g_Xa0W53rDpCiVU2KHDqC GMYx3wrYsqk6GgbGZ6Kc_FMvjlVZoKL83ujClaSpczp-WwglY&s=1).
Reported in the Gladstone Observer 2nd May 2017
My question to Fisheries Queensland is, " Are you happy with this outcome or frustrated with the legal system ? ".
You know these dories can pull upwards of $5,000 a day off the reefs in the Green Zones, so is a $10,000 fine sufficient ? This is not about commercial fishing bashing, the rules apply to all fishers. IMO, 3rd strike... you are OUT ! or at least a visit to the Big House ? And what about the skipper of the mother-ship ? ><>
more..... Two men have received fines totalling $20,000 after being caught with female and undersize crabs at night on the northern end of the Gold Coast.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers conducted surveillance at Shipper Drive on the Gold Coast after receiving complaints from recreational fishers.
QBFP Officer Ryan Stove said around 10.30pm, officers’ intercepted two men as they were leaving the area after observing them place crab pots, a large white sack, bucket and shopping bags into their vehicle.
“We intercepted their vehicle and found 18 female mud crabs, 18 undersize male mud crabs, two undersize yellowfin bream, three undersize summer whiting, one undersize dusky flathead,” he said.
“Officers also found ten unmarked crab pots. Upon completion of the inspection all mud crabs were released back into the water alive.”
Mr Stove said both men claimed that they had no knowledge of crabbing or fishing regulations in Queensland and were charged with five counts of possessing regulated fish as well as two counts regarding use of regulated fishing apparatus. ..
So a recreational fisher gets $10,00 fine for a few crabs and fish, yet a Professional fisher who takes fish for sale.... gets pinged 3 times in a Green zone where no doubt his fish numbers were huge and gets same penalty.... WTF ! Fisheries Queensland (https://www.facebook.com/FisheriesQueensland/?hc_location=ufi) ?
LP
A $10,000 fine is what a commercial angler copped after illegally fishing at Swains Reef, off Gladstone.
The commercial reef line fishing dory operator received the fine after being caught in a no-take green zone in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for the THIRD TIME !!!!!!!.
The dory operator was recently convicted in Gladstone Magistrates Court after his dory was detected by a surveillance aircraft in a green zone at the Swain Reefs in February 2016.
The court heard the dory operator had two prior convictions following aircraft detections of his dory in marine park green zones.
"This case shows people who choose to ignore the law and engage in illegal activity in the marine park run the risk of considerable fines,” said Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority field management director Richard Quincey.
"We take these offences seriously.”
Mr Quincey said illegal fishing undermined the effectiveness of the network of green zones, which were designed to conserve the reef's biodiversity.
"We're doing all we can to reduce illegal fishing and other activity that harms the reef, including taking increasingly serious action against offenders,” he said.
"This is particularly important now with the reef's health under pressure from consecutive mass coral bleaching events, the impact of cyclones and an ongoing crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak.
"All marine park users can play their part by making sure they don't fish in green zones, anchor on or otherwise damage coral, and can report any illegal activity they see.”
Aircraft and vessel patrols in the marine park are conducted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Maritime Border Command, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol, and Queensland Police.
Reports of suspected illegal activity can be made anonymously by calling the 24-hour hotline on 1800 380 048 or online at www.gbrmpa.gov.au/report-an-incident (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gbrmpa.gov.au%2Freport-an-incident&h=ATPnx4IkoE0KacAVwJeo4nEF5S3LHKfkFWD5ak-LjcEYsNNXrA479gX4QLR09AUDcSQtsIAZclVdRdeTRx2CTJ8fm lbMkTbWtYxzQV9NxuZFNzc4DdIUH9fFtFQqcmf3TJnW7XO1wJy D&enc=AZNIbgqjAOXXFEl6wqjY0fAE1oqqYnVTxG9Y5AzYn4JWp8 jaul5k3id0PaiXtlW6_KdndxnbDy4rERiUGUQEXYHXersoADC1 kuIjknGQptk765yhfzkqFZ9gPT_Y1g_Xa0W53rDpCiVU2KHDqC GMYx3wrYsqk6GgbGZ6Kc_FMvjlVZoKL83ujClaSpczp-WwglY&s=1).
Reported in the Gladstone Observer 2nd May 2017
My question to Fisheries Queensland is, " Are you happy with this outcome or frustrated with the legal system ? ".
You know these dories can pull upwards of $5,000 a day off the reefs in the Green Zones, so is a $10,000 fine sufficient ? This is not about commercial fishing bashing, the rules apply to all fishers. IMO, 3rd strike... you are OUT ! or at least a visit to the Big House ? And what about the skipper of the mother-ship ? ><>
more..... Two men have received fines totalling $20,000 after being caught with female and undersize crabs at night on the northern end of the Gold Coast.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers conducted surveillance at Shipper Drive on the Gold Coast after receiving complaints from recreational fishers.
QBFP Officer Ryan Stove said around 10.30pm, officers’ intercepted two men as they were leaving the area after observing them place crab pots, a large white sack, bucket and shopping bags into their vehicle.
“We intercepted their vehicle and found 18 female mud crabs, 18 undersize male mud crabs, two undersize yellowfin bream, three undersize summer whiting, one undersize dusky flathead,” he said.
“Officers also found ten unmarked crab pots. Upon completion of the inspection all mud crabs were released back into the water alive.”
Mr Stove said both men claimed that they had no knowledge of crabbing or fishing regulations in Queensland and were charged with five counts of possessing regulated fish as well as two counts regarding use of regulated fishing apparatus. ..
So a recreational fisher gets $10,00 fine for a few crabs and fish, yet a Professional fisher who takes fish for sale.... gets pinged 3 times in a Green zone where no doubt his fish numbers were huge and gets same penalty.... WTF ! Fisheries Queensland (https://www.facebook.com/FisheriesQueensland/?hc_location=ufi) ?
LP