Get your kids hooked on fishing the right way

[Fisheries Queensland]

Queensland Government
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

9 January 2014
Get your kids hooked on fishing the right way

Taking the kids fishing over the holidays is a great way to spend time together, but it’s important to teach them to fish by the rules to ensure they have a positive experience.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district manager Rob McDonald said family fishing can be a positive and rewarding experience provided it’s done the right way.

“We see many families enjoy Queensland waterways during school holidays,” Mr McDonald said.

“Families are often new to fishing or only fish once or twice a year and may be unfamiliar with the current rules.

“It’s important people check the rules before taking their families out to ensure their fishing experience is a positive one.”

Mr McDonald said the same fishing rules apply to children as adults.

“Individual fishing gear requirements, and size and possession limits apply to children the same way they do adults.

“Care needs to be taken, however, to ensure the child is able to manage their fishing apparatus independently or it could be counted towards the adult’s individual limit.

“Knowing how to identify and measure correctly is also very important.

“Good fish identification guides and fish measuring rulers are available to purchase from bait and tackle stores.

“They are invaluable tools to have to ensure the fish you catch is within regulations and could help you avoid landing a fine.”

For the most up-to-date information on recreational fishing rules in Queensland, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@FisheriesQld).

Media: Jodana Anglesey, 3087 8601

[Triple]

Mr McDonald said the same fishing rules apply to children as adults.

“Individual fishing gear requirements, and size and possession limits apply to children the same way they do adults.

“Care needs to be taken, however, to ensure the child is able to manage their fishing apparatus independently or it could be counted towards the adult’s individual limit.

Can you please clarify this from the legislation as the question has been asked previously regarding small children and crab pots as the age limit was removed and I would like to know where it states they must be able to "manage" the fishing gear especially in cases where the physically handicapped, disabled or elderly people that require assistance when fishing and crabbing stand.

What defines "manage" by the legislation standards?
Just holding a rod or be able to rig up and bait a hook and pull up pots from 30m?

Your website states "No age limit applies to fishing in Queensland but children should be of an age where they can be responsible for the use of their own fishing gear." But I cannot find anything in the 2008 act and "should" by definition does not mean "must".

Qld fisheries act 2008 -

- any person is a regulated person

Meaning of recreational fisher and recreational fishing
(1) (2)
A recreational fisher is a person who is carrying out recreational fishing.

Cheers.

[Gazza]

"or it could be counted" is the 'key' to your clarification asked triple IMO

stupid example(s) , but 3yo can't crab or go marlin fishing ,
or drive your boat [unless L-plate displayed on windscreen??]

soh req'd lol

[cobiaman]

Can you please clarify this from the legislation as the question has been asked previously regarding small children and crab pots as the age limit was removed and I would like to know where it states they must be able to "manage" the fishing gear especially in cases where the physically handicapped, disabled or elderly people that require assistance when fishing and crabbing stand.

What defines "manage" by the legislation standards?
Just holding a rod or be able to rig up and bait a hook and pull up pots from 30m?

Your website states "No age limit applies to fishing in Queensland but children should be of an age where they can be responsible for the use of their own fishing gear." But I cannot find anything in the 2008 act and "should" by definition does not mean "must".

Qld fisheries act 2008 -

- any person is a regulated person

Meaning of recreational fisher and recreational fishing
(1) (2)
A recreational fisher is a person who is carrying out recreational fishing.

Cheers.

Dont try to confuse them more triple, they're confused enough already......

[Triple]

stupid example(s) , but 3yo can't crab or go marlin fishing ,
or drive your boat [unless L-plate displayed on windscreen??]

No age limit - "Unlicensed drivers may operate a recreational boat or PWC if a licensed driver is onboard supervising and can take immediate control in case of trouble."

My three yr old can setup a crab pot, clip in the bait and helps lower them but can't pull them or grab out the crabs alone (on the rare occasion there is some) so is that deemed by fisheries standards as "manage" or "responsible" for their own gear?

[Gazza]

I'm not sure how much jail-time your superkid will get for exceeding bag/size limits ,and getting his dads car & bmt crushed/confiscated LOL

but........Enjoy your Fishing together *Double-thumbs-up*

p.s. there is NO minsize/bag on Marlin , so strap him in......
soh LOL

[Triple]

They are now quoting this info on their Facebook page and talking like it is from the legislation when from what i have seen its only Ron Mcdonalds personal opinion or interpretation? I'm yet to have any clarification on it.

"The age limit for the recreational use of crab apparatus has been removed. Care needs to be taken, however, to ensure your child is able to manage their apparatus independently or it could be counted towards your individual limit."

[Triple]

Fisheries response -

"the legislation specifies that a person must be capable of ‘using’ the apparatus. ‘Use’ is commonly defined as “to apply to one’s own purposes”. QBFP officers have discretionary powers which they use to assess situations on a case-by-case basis."

Read that as you will but I still can't find anything the specifies the person must be "capable of using" the apparatus in the legislation..
Only that the apparatus is capable ie: "fishing apparatus means anything used, or capable of being
used, to take fish, or assist in the taking of fish, and includes,
for example—(a) a hook, line or rod used, or capable of being used, to
take fish; and
(b) a crab pot, crayfish pot, net, pitch fork, spear gun or trap
used, or capable of being used, to take fish."

Discretionary powers is a nice way of saying we can't stop you by law but will pretend we can so you don't do it?

[Louis]

'Kids who Hunt and Fish, Don't Deal and Steal. ' This is so true.


Louis