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QLD_Fisheries
07-10-2004, 04:02 AM
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/newsreleases/16158.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI&F Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

bugman
07-10-2004, 04:06 AM
5 October, 2004

Far north fishing offences exceed $90,000

Two more men have been fined $12000 for commercial fishing offences in the State’s far north bringing the total to more than $90,000 in fines handed down in north Queensland courts during the past two months.

The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries says the fines send a strong message to commercial fishing operators.

On Monday (October 4), Tho Le, 39, from Wynnum in Brisbane, was convicted and fined a total of $9500 in the Cairns Magistrates Court for six offences.

These included failing to keep log book records, failing to immediately produce licence documents, possessing 174 under-sized blue swimmer crabs, possessing 24 under-sized Moreton Bay bugs, possessing one under-sized spotted mackerel and a quantity of non-permitted fish.

Mr Le was also ordered to pay $63.20 court costs and the illegal catches were seized and forfeited.

On a separate date he also allowed assistant fisher Cuc Van Le, 29, from Runcorn Heights, Brisbane, to take 174 under-sized blue swimmer crabs and to possess 24 under-sized Moreton Bay Bugs.

Cuc Van Le was convicted and fined $2500 in the Cooktown Magistrates Court on August 31 for these offences.

Cairns-based Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries officers were conducting routine inspections at cold store premises when they detected the illegal catches.

These recent convictions follow $45000 in fines handed down in the Cairns Magistrates Court in September for separate trawling offences.

DPI&F district manager Bob Koch said the recent spate of heavy fines highlighted how seriously the courts took fishing offences.

“Fisheries regulations are in place for a reason and that is to protect and conserve Queensland’s fish stocks,” he said.

“These heavy fines should act as a deterrent not only to the fishers involved but to industry as a whole.

“While most operators do the right thing, there are still some out there who break the law. These fines show this sort of action will not be tolerated.”

Mr Koch said the forfeiture of the unlawful catch was a further deterrent to people who tried to gain financially from breaking fishing regulations.

“Those who do the wrong thing will be caught and will pay a high price. They should consider their actions carefully before heading out to fish,” he said.

Mr Koch also encouraged the public to assist DPI&F by reporting any suspected illegal fishing activities to the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116.


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Further information: Bob Koch +61 7 4035 0703
Media Officer: Liz Smith Ph: +61 7 3224 7757
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001. Fax +61 7 3239 0860
DPI&F Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23

cooky
07-10-2004, 05:25 AM
sorry, but I don't believe these are 'heavy' penalties at all for PROFESSIONALS. I have absolutely nothing against pro fishermen, but when someone is your PROFESSION you have very little room for excuses, mistakes.

$9500??? this wasn't 5 or 10, but 174 illegally sized species.

nothing against asians either, but as a culture asians have less respect for the environment (animals) and much more respect for the $$$. They will keep playing the numbers game (they love gambling) - how many times do I get caught out of how many catches calculations.

Are there EXTREME penalties for multiple offences?

Ebs
07-10-2004, 05:51 AM
IMO cooky's comments are bang on the money. The problem with most of the justice system is that the penalties are never harsh enough & therefore in no way a deterant for a first timer or a repeat offender.

ssbayguide
07-10-2004, 05:56 AM
I say the issue of what constitutes an offence versus a serious opffence is flawed. The numbers game does prevail and the removal of the licence to fish is a real penalty.

Perhaps if people seeking licences were required to actually demonstrate competency in understanding the law and regulations, maybe public (or angler) faith would be increased.

SeaHunt
07-10-2004, 06:17 AM
Have to agree , you should not be able to go out and buy a licence off someone who is trying to sell it. :P
They should have to sit for an exam and demonstrate that they understand the regulations completely.
Also three strikes and your out, the third blatent offence should mean loss of licence (forfeited, not sold on) , loss of boat and all equipment, a large fine and they should never be able to ever hold a licence again.
By blatent I mean as in the example above not nit picking over a couple of millimetres on one or two fish. ???

Payneful
08-10-2004, 12:36 PM
You have to complete units of endangered species and stuff like that now if you want to get your pro licence.

ssbayguide
09-10-2004, 07:32 AM
Well I'm sure that goes at least some way to educating the rogue elements. Still, the issue of enforcement and level of penalty always results in spirited discussion!

jaybee
09-10-2004, 12:09 PM
and how about the guys that were let off with a warning, they had he right gear to fish, however because they were walking had to come home through a zone that didnt allow two rods, only one person had the two rods, so to get there and fish legally, you have to be illegal to walk along a certain beach, go figure.
VOTE 1 QLD FISHING PARTY send a message to beattie as well as the federal government
cheers
Jow