Illegal fishing activity on the Tweed - reported

[goat boy]

with some discussion recently on illegal activity occuring and whether or not to report it, I thought I would relay something I saw today. While at work, a colleague mentioned to me he thought it was illegal to throw castnets around in NSW, I replied it was so my colleague invited me outside to see something.
There out in broad daylight was a couple of guys in an old boat casting a large net through some shallow weedbeds that I know to be home to all sorts of juvenile fish. Everything from each haul was promptly thrown in buckets. There was no rego on the boat that I could see so I made a phone call to DPI Tweed. Whilst informing them of the activity the boat motored to the other side of the river, beached itself on some sand where another bloke appeared and looked like all offending material was off loaded to the land based guy. Boat then took off.
All this was reported to DPI who at least seemed very interested in what was happening, the area and rego etc.
I then had to pop out for some errands but on return I was told that a vehicle had turned up to where the offloading had happened and a few guys in uniforms of some sort got out, walked around having a look and then left. I hope this was DPI as it would be great to see action happening so quickly. Either way I did the right thing and I urge all others who want their fishing to be sustainable in years to come to do likewise in similar situations

[nigelr]

Good on you man, job well done.
Now lets hope the DPI do theirs.
Cheers.

[johnlikes2fish]

Good on you, lets hope the appropriate action was taken.

[dogsbody]

Great to hear that you made the call. Karma points for you my friend.

Dave

[Tailortaker]

Well done mate,, I recently saved the QLD number in my mobile just in case I need it..

[hooknose]

Cheers to you mate !!

[Mac1952]

Bravo buddy!!!!

[Jeremy]

good job, but just curious as to whether you reported to Qld DPI&F or to the relevant NSW authority. I am sure it is NSW who have authority over the Tweed, and definitely no castnetting allowed in NSW.
Jeremy

[kingkev]

The fishing gods will smile on you and bring you good fortune

well done

cheers

[goat boy]

good job, but just curious as to whether you reported to Qld DPI&F or to the relevant NSW authority. I am sure it is NSW who have authority over the Tweed, and definitely no castnetting allowed in NSW.
Jeremy

Was reported to the Tweed Branch of NSW DPI F. The fellow I spoke to was very interested in getting a rego and description of boat involved though unfortunately there was no rego I could see. However, he knew exactly the spots I was talking about. By what I was told later, there is a very plausible chance the DPI were there soon after (too late though) so the reason I posted was just to let people know reporting does make a difference, I only wish I could of gotten a rego.

[rando]

A shame you couldn't get a photo...... even one on a mobile phone .
Well done just the same.

[cormorant]

There are some lic nets thet are used by guys doing fish surveys. The DPI would be able to determin that and the users are OK really fast.

If it was scumbags throw the book at them.

Always call as it gives the DPI guys an idea of where this sort of activity happens.

[crab man]

Hey mate you did the right thing , I know the dpi guys from tweed and they are really good that would of been them checking it out for sure.
Its good to see there atleast trying and the public is helping !!
Cheers Craig

[Chezzy13]

with some discussion recently on illegal activity occuring and whether or not to report it, I thought I would relay something I saw today. While at work, a colleague mentioned to me he thought it was illegal to throw castnets around in NSW, I replied it was so my colleague invited me outside to see something.
There out in broad daylight was a couple of guys in an old boat casting a large net through some shallow weedbeds that I know to be home to all sorts of juvenile fish. Everything from each haul was promptly thrown in buckets. There was no rego on the boat that I could see so I made a phone call to DPI Tweed. Whilst informing them of the activity the boat motored to the other side of the river, beached itself on some sand where another bloke appeared and looked like all offending material was off loaded to the land based guy. Boat then took off.
All this was reported to DPI who at least seemed very interested in what was happening, the area and rego etc.
I then had to pop out for some errands but on return I was told that a vehicle had turned up to where the offloading had happened and a few guys in uniforms of some sort got out, walked around having a look and then left. I hope this was DPI as it would be great to see action happening so quickly. Either way I did the right thing and I urge all others who want their fishing to be sustainable in years to come to do likewise in similar situations

Well done Goat boy, its people like them that rake the oceans, rivers, creeks, Hope they get the book thrown at them..