News Release - New QBFP officers

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/15534.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

[Chrisso]

Full Text

25 June, 2004

New patrol officers strengthen fisheries enforcement
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has welcomed seven new Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers to its ranks.

The new officers were presented with their graduating certificates today (June 25) at a ceremony at Joondoburri Conference Centre, Bribie Island.

The recruits will be based all over the State adding strength to the QBFP’s enforcement capabilities.

QBFP training officer Peter Leech said the officers had been through an intensive 10-month training period which included both practical and theoretical work.

“The officers have been through a rigorous training program covering topics such as fisheries identification, fisheries and marine legislation, habitat management, law and court procedures,” he said.

“They have also taken part in a number of training at sea exercises to give them real-life experience in surveillance and enforcement operations.”

Mr Leech said the course needed to be tough to prepare the officers for the demands of the job.

“Patrol officers carry out a number of important roles from enforcing fisheries legislation in the commercial and recreational sectors to playing a critical community education role,” he said.

Mr Leech commended the graduates for their hard work during the training period and welcomed them to the team.

“They worked extremely hard to get where they are today and certainly have long rewarding careers ahead of them,” he said.




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Further information: Peter Leech #Mobile: 0419 784 362
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

[Mudcrab]

Sounds good but of course like all government departments, the locker is bare and no money for fuel to do the number of patrols necessary to cover all the waters in SE Qld. Have been on Moreton Bay for over thirty years and rarely if ever see patrol boats. Much easier to knock Mum and dad off at the ramp for as few undersized whiting!!! Maybe they will clean up the "yellow raincoats" in the Logan or near the W's who butcher and plunder the prawns!! Not likely...!