jaybee
20-08-2004, 06:22 PM
Qld Govt Media Release
19 August, 2004
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is urging anglers to become familiar with spotted mackerel regulations before heading out to fish.
This follows three on-the-spot fines being issued in the Yeppoon district recently for spotted mackerel offences.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers issued a $225 fine for possessing between one and five undersized spotted mackerel and two $375 fines for being in possession of between six and ten undersized spotted mackerel.
A $150 Marine Infringement Notice was also issued for failing to carry current flares.
QBFP field officer Amanda Bunn said the fines were issued following reports in the area of people keeping undersized fish.
“We encourage and rely on the public for information about illegal fishing activities and this is a good outcome,” she said.
“However, it is disappointing to see that people are still doing the wrong thing and breaking fishing rules.
“Fishing regulations are in place to protect and conserve fish stocks and taking undersized fish is placing Queensland’s fisheries resources at risk.”
The minimum size limit for spotted mackerel is 60cm on the east coast with a take and possession limit of five.
In the Gulf of Carpentaria the minimum size limit is 50cm with a take and possession limit of 10.
Ms Bunn also encouraged anglers to learn to tell the difference between spotted and school mackerel which had separate regulations.
“School mackerel have a distinct patch of white near the middle of their dorsal fin which is how you tell them apart from spotted mackerel,” she said.
School mackerel have a minimum size limit of 50cm on the east coast and take and possession limit of 30.
In the Gulf of Carpentaria, the minimum size limit is 50cm and the take and possession limit is 10.
Any suspected illegal fishing activities can be reported to the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116.
19 August, 2004
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is urging anglers to become familiar with spotted mackerel regulations before heading out to fish.
This follows three on-the-spot fines being issued in the Yeppoon district recently for spotted mackerel offences.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers issued a $225 fine for possessing between one and five undersized spotted mackerel and two $375 fines for being in possession of between six and ten undersized spotted mackerel.
A $150 Marine Infringement Notice was also issued for failing to carry current flares.
QBFP field officer Amanda Bunn said the fines were issued following reports in the area of people keeping undersized fish.
“We encourage and rely on the public for information about illegal fishing activities and this is a good outcome,” she said.
“However, it is disappointing to see that people are still doing the wrong thing and breaking fishing rules.
“Fishing regulations are in place to protect and conserve fish stocks and taking undersized fish is placing Queensland’s fisheries resources at risk.”
The minimum size limit for spotted mackerel is 60cm on the east coast with a take and possession limit of five.
In the Gulf of Carpentaria the minimum size limit is 50cm with a take and possession limit of 10.
Ms Bunn also encouraged anglers to learn to tell the difference between spotted and school mackerel which had separate regulations.
“School mackerel have a distinct patch of white near the middle of their dorsal fin which is how you tell them apart from spotted mackerel,” she said.
School mackerel have a minimum size limit of 50cm on the east coast and take and possession limit of 30.
In the Gulf of Carpentaria, the minimum size limit is 50cm and the take and possession limit is 10.
Any suspected illegal fishing activities can be reported to the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116.