Freshwater fishos hit hard at Boggabilla - From the courier mail

[PADDLES]

A BOYS weekend turned bad last month for 40 blokes who went camping and fishing at Boggabilla near Goondiwindi on the NSW-Queensland border.
Sixteen of the fishermen have been fined more than $10,000 for illegal fishing.
They were from a group of 40 who had set up camp on the Dumaresq River which flows through southwest Queensland and northwest NSW.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer Coby Walker said although the men, mostly mates from Goondiwindi, had set up camp in NSW, they were committing offences both sides of the border.
The men were catching cod and yellowbelly and most of the fines related to using double hooks and setting and leaving fishing lines unattended, which can cause other species such as turtles, birds and fish to die.

Mr Walker said it was rare that such a large number of people would be fined at one time.
The area is patrolled regularly but the department had received an anonymous tip-off.

"On the Queensland side, QBFP apprehended nine people and issued fines for 20 offences, totalling $6000," Mr Walker said.



"These offences included failure to mark set lines and failure to be in attendance of lines.
"Fishing rules and regulations can be different across state borders but individuals are responsible for knowing the rules for the area they intend to fish and sticking to them - ignorance is no excuse."
The area was patrolled with NSW Primary Industries Department staff.
NSW fisheries compliance director Glenn Tritton said his officers issued 13 fines totalling almost $4500 to seven men between the ages of 20 and 72 years.
"Offences included using more than two hand-held lines, possessing prohibited fishing gear, leaving lines unattended, failing to carry fishing licences and using live fin fish as bait," he said.
"A collection of illegal fishing gear was also seized, including 48 set lines (15 with double hooks attached), two cast nets, and one 21m hand-hauled yabby net.
"It can be a difficult area to patrol and teamwork ... makes the job easier. Officers who are stationed near the border are authorised under both Queensland and NSW legislation.
Two months ago a NSW fisherman was fined $10,000 for catching thousands of flathead when on a north Queensland fishing trip.
A bag or possession limit refers to the number of fish in possession at any one time, not just the day's catch.
It includes fish caught previously that, for example, could be in a freezer or Esky at home, at a campsite or in a caravan.

[finga]

They're not fisho's and I'm not allowed to say what they are here because of the G rating.

Well done Fisheries from both sides of the border.

[PADDLES]

agreed finga, well done to the fisheries guys. people like this are a scourge on the very passtime that we enjoy so much

[finga]

agreed finga, well done to the fisheries guys. people like this are a scourge on the very passtime that we enjoy so much

And the reason why they make it so hard for us to enjoy a quite fish.

[fishfeeder]

Sounds like they had a large setup... 40 guys would have a lot of gear
Good on the officers for doing there job, should be more of it..

Cheers

[Jarrah Jack]

Good time for a big haul like that to happen with staff cuts looming both sides of the border. The pollies need to feel good about these positive stories so they don't slash and burn at front line fisho offices.

[PADDLES]

it's also a timely reminder for everyone just in front of the school holidays

[Jarrah Jack]

Oh Paddles..I was thinking you were braver than brave and tougher than steel and here you are admitting to a wishy washy weakness.

Means your just like the rest of us

[metalhead666]

Damn! I was all for the blokes until i realised that they had 40 LINES!
I disagree with the rule that you cannot leave lines unnattended however! Your putting the hook in the fishes mouth then probably eating it! It really does not matter wether the hook is in its mouth for a few more hours!!!

[finga]

Damn! I was all for the blokes until i realised that they had 40 LINES!
I disagree with the rule that you cannot leave lines unnattended however! Your putting the hook in the fishes mouth then probably eating it! It really does not matter wether the hook is in its mouth for a few more hours!!!

Why would anyone want to leave lines unattended??
Makes no sense to me at all.

I absolutely, positively agree with that rule. Anyone lazy enough not to sit and watch lines deserves to be pinged.....and pinged big time.

[Bronson]

Good on the fisheries they make the laws for a reason so why not in force them.


bron

[rabbi]

Hehe, bunch of w****rs.
Serves them right and good on the fisheries for getting them.
I thought that sort of fishing practice had died out years back, and all that type of fishing does is undo all the great restocking work that has been done.
There have been a few fishos from this area bringing back eskys full of freshwater fish from that river system and they need a wake up call too.
cheers.

[NAGG]

BUNCH OF REDNECKS!!!!!!! ....... Good on the Fisheries departments

Chris