DAFF Media Release - Know the limits if you’ve got snapper in your sights

[Fisheries Queensland]

Queensland Government

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Media Release
16 July 2012

Know the limits if you’ve got snapper in your sights

With snapper season upon us, recreational fishers looking to snap up catches of the popular species are reminded that new bag and size limits are in place.

Fisheries Queensland recreational fishing manager Tony Ham said with good catches being reported and expected along the southeast Queensland coast up to Mackay, fishers were urged to follow the rules or risk being fined.

“New rules for snapper came into effect last September,” he said.

“The bag limit on snapper is now four per person, with one fish allowed over 70cm in length.

“The minimum size limit for snapper is 35cm, and these rules apply to all recreational fishers, including those fishing from charter boats.”

Mr Ham also reminded fishers of the definition of a bag limit.

“A 'bag' or 'possession' limit refers to the total number of fish an individual can legally take and have in their possession at any one time – it does not apply on a per-day basis,” he said.

“This includes the fish you have caught previously that are in your freezer at home, camp site or in your caravan.”

Snapper (Pagrus auratus) are most prevalent in the southern end of the state but do extend as far north as Mackay. They are a bottom-living fish, at depths of 10-150m.

For photos of adult and juvenile snapper, as well as the size and bag limits of other Queensland species, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au

Call 13 25 23 to order your free Recreational Boating and Fishing Guide or download your copy at the Fisheries Queensland website.

[Haji-Baba]

Good one fisheries, a lot of people are still usung the "Bag Limit" as a daily number.

In my opinion "Possession Limit" is the only definition we should use.

To maintain the use of the term "Bag limits" could be construed as ambiguous.

Just an opinion but to eliminate any doubt use "Possessnion Limits" only.

Have fun Haji-Baba

[Crunchy]

Doesn't affect me, I will be devestated if they bring in a YT pike limit though

[Lucky_Phill]

Hoping that this regulation will be looked at by FQ as per Noddy's and Mark R's comments pre-election.

LP

[Matt_Campbell]

Hoping that this regulation will be looked at by FQ as per Noddy's and Mark R's comments pre-election.

LP

Can you remind everyone what was said by the LNP regarding snapper please Phil?

[Lucky_Phill]

I will search for it Matt and post it up.

There are two issues.

First....... What was said by the LNP post and pre election

Second... What was siad by Mark Robinson pre election.

I'll have a dig around tonight.


cheers Phill

[gruntahunta]

Queensland Government

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Media Release
16 July 2012

Know the limits if you’ve got snapper in your sights

With snapper season upon us, recreational fishers looking to snap up catches of the popular species are reminded that new bag and size limits are in place.

Fisheries Queensland recreational fishing manager Tony Ham said with good catches being reported and expected along the southeast Queensland coast up to Mackay, fishers were urged to follow the rules or risk being fined.

“New rules for snapper came into effect last September,” he said.

“The bag limit on snapper is now four per person, with one fish allowed over 70cm in length.

“The minimum size limit for snapper is 35cm, and these rules apply to all recreational fishers, including those fishing from charter boats.”

Mr Ham also reminded fishers of the definition of a bag limit.

“A 'bag' or 'possession' limit refers to the total number of fish an individual can legally take and have in their possession at any one time – it does not apply on a per-day basis,” he said.

[FONT=Arial]“This includes the fish you have caught previously that are in your freezer at home, camp site or in your caravan.” [/FONT]

Snapper (Pagrus auratus) are most prevalent in the southern end of the state but do extend as far north as Mackay. They are a bottom-living fish, at depths of 10-150m.

For photos of adult and juvenile snapper, as well as the size and bag limits of other Queensland species, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au

Call 13 25 23 to order your free Recreational Boating and Fishing Guide or download your copy at the Fisheries Queensland website.

Could you please show me the legislation regarding when and where one can fillet or in say Mackeral case "cut into steaks" fish. I know the legislation is "in your Possession", so is it alright ot fillet before you freezer them. Is there any fish you can fillet at sea?

If I get stopped on the way home and have filleted/cut fish in my esky, have I broken the law? Could you please provide the correct answer? If there is no regulation/legislation, then how do you police it and have it upheld in court?

regards Peter Jeffs.

[gruntahunta]

Just another quick question...may sound silly but can I have more than 4 snapper on my possession if I bought them from a shop? or more than 8 fillets?

[Lucky_Phill]

Just another quick question...may sound silly but can I have more than 4 snapper on my possession if I bought them from a shop? or more than 8 fillets?

No problems with that as you'll have a reciept.

LP

[Lucky_Phill]

Could you please show me the legislation regarding when and where one can fillet or in say Mackeral case "cut into steaks" fish. I know the legislation is "in your Possession", so is it alright ot fillet before you freezer them. ............Yes........Is there any fish you can fillet at sea? yes..... all fish can be filleted at sea, but those fillets MUST be 40cms long CRFF species etc

If I get stopped on the way home and have filleted/cut fish in my esky, have I broken the law? NO.......Could you please provide the correct answer? If there is no regulation/legislation, then how do you police it and have it upheld in court? There is the Act. I will endeavour to find the sections that pertain to this. Stay tuned

regards Peter Jeffs.

Edited question / answers in red.

[Lucky_Phill]

OK. googled DPI&F. -> rec fishing -> rules and regulations -> skin and fillet.
Skin and fillet removal

In relation to coral reef fin fish, a recreational fisher:

• must not possess, on board a boat, a fish other than in any of the following forms - whole, gilled, gutted or filleted
• may possess, on board a boat, a fillet of a fish other than a blue spotted coral trout (Chinese footballer) as long as the length of the fillet is at least 40 cm, and the skin and scales of the fillet are attached to the fillet
• must not return fish to a boat that have been taken ashore from a boat and filleted, unless the length of the fillet is at least 40 cm and skin of the fillet is attached to the fillet

or

• must not possess a live coral reef fin fish unless the person or fisher intends to immediately return the fish to the sea or to display the fish in an aquarium.

In relation to fin fish (other than coral reef fin fish) a recreational fisher must not:

• remove the skin from a fish on a boat until the fish is brought to shore
• bring a fish ashore and remove its skin and return the fish to the boat
• divide a fish into portions other than in a way that allows an inspector to easily count the number of fish possessed by the fisher

In relation to barred javelin (spotted grunter) taken in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in addition to the above, a recreational fisher must:

• ensure that the whole fish is at least 40cm in length; and
• ensure that the fillet is at least 26cm in length.

For information that may apply to recreational fishers on a commercial fishing tour, please consult the Fisheries Regulation 2008 and/or relevant management plan.

[Lucky_Phill]

To be stopped on your way home from fishing, it would have to be a pre-concieved stoppage on behalf of the Police / Fisheries, in that they are looking for illegal fishing activities. Excess bag limits and or possession of excess species that could be sold on the Black Market.

All F & B Officers, Fisheries Officers, National Park Rangers and Police have powers to search vessel etc, but not house... that requires a search warrant from a Magistrate ... in most cases.

The above law enforcement officers also have discreationary powers, in that if you are a reasonable person with a reasonable excuse for having filleted fish in your esky etc and those fillets do not appear, by their judgement to be from undersize or excess to bag limit fish, then they will exercise those powers. There is a lot of grey area, but it is all in black and white, written into to Act.

It's not a long read... 207 pages.

enjoy.......... http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LE.../FisherA94.pdf

cheers LP

[gruntahunta]

So in regards to non reef fin fish such as bream, flathead ETC..... it doesnt say what size the fillet needs to be?.... seems very imbiguous...I will read the whole thing....might be in there somewhere

[Dicktracey]

So in regards to non reef fin fish such as bream, flathead ETC..... it doesnt say what size the fillet needs to be?.... seems very imbiguous...I will read the whole thing....might be in there somewhere

It does Grunta ! you can fillet a Bream leaving the skin on if the fillet is over 40cm mate
Cracker Bream !

[gruntahunta]

It does Grunta ! you can fillet a Bream leaving the skin on if the fillet is over 40cm mate

Cracker Bream !

Hi Dick...sorry but I beg to differ LOL....here is what the regs state and I have hilighted the bit about 40cm fillets...it applies to Coral Fin reef fish....



In relation to coral reef fin fish, a recreational fisher:

• may possess, on board a boat, a fillet of a fish other than a blue spotted coral trout (Chinese footballer) as long as the length of the fillet is at least 40 cm

In relation to fin fish (other than coral reef fin fish) a recreational fisher must not:

• remove the skin from a fish on a boat until the fish is brought to shore (COULD THIS MEAN FILLET & SKIN...not to be removed?
• bring a fish ashore and remove its skin and return the fish to the boat
• divide a fish into portions other than in a way that allows an inspector to easily count the number of fish possessed by the fisher ( this seems to imply you can fillet...2 fillets/fish)

There is no mention about the size of fillets here!!!!!



In relation to barred javelin (spotted grunter) taken in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in addition to the above, a recreational fisher must:

• ensure that the whole fish is at least 40cm in length; and
• ensure that the fillet is at least 26cm in length.

(this doesnt relate to bream etc obviously)


So unless I am missing something here (LOL, could be very possible), The regs say I can in relation to NON Coral Reef fish (such as bream/Flathead) that i have to leave the skin on...no mention of fillets sizes whatsoever...

Please point out the bit where you think I am wrong.