Green Zone Fines For Repeat Offenders

[Derek Bullock]

Green zone fines for repeat offenders

11:50a.m. 4th May 2009
| By Damian Bathersby

Fishermen have been warned they will cop heavy fines if they flout “no-go” zones in Moreton Bay once the state government decides to get tough.
The majority of professional fishermen have continued to stay clear of the new areas but climate change and sustainability minister Kate Jones said repeat offenders would soon be hit with $500 penalties.
Since the new zoning plan for Moreton Bay took effect on March 1, marine park rangers had been ensuring compliance through education.
“I’d like to thank the overwhelming majority of people who are doing the right thing and observing the new fishing restrictions in Moreton Bay,” Ms Jones said.
“Of the thousands who visit the region each week, only 64 fishers and crabbers have been given verbal warnings for breaching the new green zones.
“There’s currently a grace period for fines to help people get used to the new zones.
“That finishes on June 30, however repeat offenders should be warned to stop or you can and will be slapped with a $500 fine.”
Of the 64 people warned for breaching the Marine National Park Zones, 25 were crabbing, nine were bait netting and 30 were fishing.
The plan protects 16% of Moreton Bay as green zones where fishing is not allowed but boating, snorkelling and scuba-diving are welcome.
Ms Jones said rangers had four possible responses when implementing the new zoning plan in the marine park – education, verbal warnings, written warnings or fines.
“All responses from rangers to date have either been education or verbal warnings,” she said.
“From July 1, rangers will start issuing written warnings and fines as appropriate, and we will be reassessing how aware the public is about the new rules.
“But repeat offenders should note – they’ll be getting warning notices and fines.”
Eight extra officers will be employed to monitor and enforce the green zones before the grace period ends, with two new boats and two new jet-skis allowing rangers to better manage the marine park.
Signs have been installed at public boat ramps and throughout the marine park, clearly marking the boundaries of green zones

[stuart29]

Green zone fines for repeat offenders

clearly marking the boundaries of green zones

Who are they kidding? How many of the green zones have been clearly identified to allow someone with a GPS to know whether they are inside a zone or not? How many GPS manufacturers have the necessary information to include this on maps?

I think I know the answer...

[Chris Ryan]

Ponder this for a minute

$500 for fishing in a green zone...........

$300 for failing to stop for a pedestrian on a children's crossing......
$333 for driving more than 20 km/h but not more than 30 km/h over the speed limit.
$200 for driving an unsafe vehicle

Which would have higher consequences?

[GES]

Ponder this for a minute

$500 for fishing in a green zone...........

$300 for failing to stop for a pedestrian on a children's crossing......
$333 for driving more than 20 km/h but not more than 30 km/h over the speed limit.
$200 for driving an unsafe vehicle

Which would have higher consequences?

Higher consequences!!!! ???
It's much more important than that Chris.
It's all about pay-back for the Greens preferential votes that were sent Anna's way in the recent election.

GES

[Chris Ryan]

Hi GES,

Yes mate, full aware of that and that is my point. Why the hell does the idiot who could kill kids at a crossing get off cheaper than a fisherman who gets fined in a green zone??? To me this makes me think the world has gone mad as preference votes mean more than mainstream life.

Cheers,
Chris

[SunnyCoastMark]

Ponder this for a minute

$500 for fishing in a green zone...........

$300 for failing to stop for a pedestrian on a children's crossing......
$333 for driving more than 20 km/h but not more than 30 km/h over the speed limit.
$200 for driving an unsafe vehicle

Which would have higher consequences?

The answer is in the news article - "8 extra officers employed to monitor and enforce the green zone" - Gotta pay their wages; Gotta pay for their new boats.

It's a matter of numbers - there aren't as many boaties as there are cars on the road - so the fines have to be bigger.

It is never about doing the right thing - it is purely and simply pandering to those who have the most influence; revenue raising and then keeping the monster fed.

Mark

[GES]

The answer is in the news article - "8 extra officers employed to monitor and enforce the green zone" - Gotta pay their wages; Gotta pay for their new boats.

It's a matter of numbers - there aren't as many boaties as there are cars on the road - so the fines have to be bigger.

It is never about doing the right thing - it is purely and simply pandering to those who have the most influence; revenue raising and then keeping the monster fed.

Mark

Gee, look !!! Anna is starting a whole new "environmental protection" industry.

It must be part of the Labor platform promises to raise more jobs in Qld.

Just think ... Salaries for more rangers employed to police the new closures,
more boats, vehicles and running costs to carry out the policing,
more salaries and expenses for additional scientists employed to tell the public how wonderful they are at protecting our environment,
a public service upgrade and consequental raise in salary and superannuation benefits for those beauraucrats who pushed the issue of the new Marine Park Zoning Plans throughout Qld so hard, and are now the responsible managers of all the new staff members necessary to control the new "initiative" of enforcement and scientific studies for the new industry.

And we are all going to pay for it one way or another.
Will it be huge fines, new salt water fishing licence fees, a rise in boat and trailer rego costs, or some other type of tax or levy ?

GES