$50,000 FINES no thanks!

[QldOysterGrowersAsso]

Just a quick reminder to all our recreational boating friends, coming into summer! Qld State Govt has recently mandated a $50,000 fine for anyone caught stealing oysters from a commercial oyster lease. Recent thefts in Moreton Bay have pushed growers to install hidden CCTV and monitor leases from the mainland with high powered teliscopes. So Just to save any of you getting caught and loosing your 'pride an joy' to pay your fine... It is a criminal offence, just like cattle rustling... which they used to hang you for. Have a great summer.. regards Queensland Oyster Growers Association (we're trying to earn a living too)

Hey thanks to all who have responded so far. The Growers really appreciate the feedback.

[finga]

I wished they'd give the pro-crabbers the same fines for robbing our pots.

And I really hope the fines will deter people from stealing your livelihood.

Is there going to be an advertising campaign to inform the people of the new fines??

[trymyluck]

No chance of me being nabbed for stealing the slimy balls of snot.........

[sleepygreg]

Thanks for that info. I doubt that any members of this forum would be in the 'target market'. But there could be in the non member 'viewers' of the site.

I love oysters, but I prefer mine 'kilpatric'...and preferably somone else doing the cooking. I will however, be glad to rid your oyster leases of those pesky bream that keep chewing on them. So make sure your racks are full.

Greg

[Dezzer]

G'day oyster man

Hope the message gets out and you can slow down the thefts.

On another topic, I recently caught the end of a story about oyster farming where the fella being interviewed talked about the benefits of bream (and other species I guess) feeding on the oyster beds. I didn't catch the guts of the story. Do they remove parasites etc?

[URAGANGI]

Scumbags that pilfer anyones property or possesions need linching and their body hung in a cage for the crows. Scumbags that intentionaly tax another mans living needs a public stoneing first before step 2.

Little do these grubs know that some variety's of oysters can take up too four years before harvest can commence So if you have been involved in this act in the past STOP and have some respect.

If It sounds like I'm trying too be the Lone Ranger.....I'm not, It's just that I've been unlucky enough to have been touched by a Scumbags misdealings both on and off the water. If this has happened to you in one way or the other you'd know where I'm coming from.

Bring back cheaper Ammo.!!

[Spiderpig]

is it true u can eat oysters off a lease while you are there but you cant remove them?

[Horse]

is it true u can eat oysters off a lease while you are there but you cant remove them?

NOT a CHANCE!!!!

These areas are private property and all Oysters are owned by the guys who have raised them. There are natural areas where you can access Oysters and the restrictions are as you stated

[tigermullet]

Thanks for the news. I hope the increased fine will deter thieves.

Why anyone would steal oysters let alone eat them is beyond me. I tried one a long time ago - the only thing I got out of it was three days off work feeling like death warmed up. Never again!

[jason p]

[quote=Viper Fish;1218950] Scumbags that pilfer anyones property or possesions need linching and their body hung in a cage for the crows. Scumbags that intentionaly tax another mans living needs a public stoneing first before step 2.


lol sounds like your talking about the government lol

jp

[NAGG]

Thanks for the news. I hope the increased fine will deter thieves.

Why anyone would steal oysters let alone eat them is beyond me. I tried one a long time ago - the only thing I got out of it was three days off work feeling like death warmed up. Never again!

I had some fresh off the rocks in NZ a few years back (I love oysters) - I still remember the bus ride / ferry trip back from Barrier IS to Auckland the next day - with the shakes and feeling like I was going to die ..... slept for 18hrs..... talk about a shade of green.
If anyone doesn't know how to treat oysters ,,,,,, god help them

Chris

[URAGANGI]

Jason P, yep them too, hang'em high.

[TimiBoy]

I desperately hope that no one here would commit this low act. Having highlighted it, you may well see some of us being vigilant for your sake, Oyster Folks!

How many of you are there? Do your boats/tenders have clear markings? How do we spot people doing the wrong thing?

Cheers,

Tim

[Apollo]

is it true u can eat oysters off a lease while you are there but you cant remove them?

I am pretty sure you are getting confused with oysters off the rocks. You can only eat them on site, but can not take them away. They must be eaten where you extract them.

As Horse said it is illegal to take them from commercial racks.

I am not sure what the rules are about fishing within a commercial lease. I have been told it is not allowed but am unsure. I know you are not allowed to tie up to one.

Thanks to the association for posting the reminder and it would e good to get an answer to Tim's question so we can know who is acting illegally.

Steve

[QldOysterGrowersAsso]

is it true u can eat oysters off a lease while you are there but you cant remove them?

Oyster Leases are basically "private property". In that, the grower has paid the Govt money to grow/cultivate oysters there. The grower also pays the DPI&F for a license to harvest. The grower now pays another fee to SAFEFOODS Qld to ensure they are 'safe" to eat... So in short... At present to harvest even 'wild oysters' for sale you need a permit. To eat wild oysters from rocks or jetties on site, is not a crime. One of the biggest issues is the 3 or 4 years of effort to grow the little suckers is lost... start again with new spat, bit to compound the loss, we usually also loose the $15 basket they were grown in to add insult to injury!