Pros smash the GTs off Fraser

[bugman]

Looked like a pub when I was there last year - but yes the servo

[Mark Robinson MP]

Can I suggest that someone take this matter up with FQ minister, John McVeigh. While I can raise it when I see him next, it is better if it comes from you guys. I am familiar with both sides of the argument. And as a rec fisher I am frustrated also with the current situation. The govts $9 million net licence buyback scheme was put in place to try to reduce the impacts of net fishing. I am not saying it is perfect or the only way to sort it out, but we are trying to actively do something.

[Lucky_Phill]

I thought it was still called the Orchid Beach Tavern ??

My thoughts are that can one imagine how many tourism dollars per fish those GT's would bring in... year after year ( C & R ), compared to a one off co-op delivery.

LP

[ShaneC]

Wheres the photos your mate speaks of??

[bugman]

Wheres the photos your mate speaks of??

I thought that point might come up Shane ... I'll get hold of them

I just want to emphasis that what these guys apparently did was completely legal and my mates didn't really have a problem with it and nor do I really. They were fishing with the correct license which allows them to make catches like this.

I guess the bigger discussion is the value of the resource.

Brett

[GM-Bluewater]

With regards to the pub, it is the 'Sand Bar' at the shops at Orchid.

I wouldn't be surprised if amongst the GT and Golderns were a heap of Snub Nosed Dart, or 'Permit'. These fish school up and inhabit the sandy cape, they have been smashed by the netters in the past which is a real shame as they are an amazing sports fish to catch. I really hate seeing those 'people' up there, its such an amazing place to fish from north Ngkala around to Rooney's. If you know what you are looking for you can site cast basically any surf species on a good day, not once these muppets have dragged the place clean though.

[manta man]

It would be interesting to find out where these Fish actually end up. E.G who"s buying them, how much per kg, and what happens after they"ve been purchased.

[MacDougall]

I think someone needs to educate the Greens. The members that are there are unlikely to have any investment in rec fishing due to largely being Gen Y bohemians so the problem is likely not so much an anti-rec agenda but just no education on the subject. When I see rec fishers dealing with the Greens it is almost always with a LOT of vitriol. They need to be shown the truth about it because if rec fishing can get the Greens on side, and realistically rec fishing's enemy should be the Green's biggest enemy, enemy of my enemy being my friend etc.

[Just_chips]

It would be interesting to find out where these Fish actually end up. E.G who"s buying them, how much per kg, and what happens after they"ve been purchased.

Morgans at Scarborough had GT on ice on Fathers day when we went to have fish and chips down there. I was a bit surprised to see these fish at the time as I didn't really associate them as a commercially viable species, the ones on display would have been in the 5-6kg range (school sized fish) and were reasonably fresh.

Interestingly they also had snapper that were definitely under the QLD 35cm limit, probably closer to around 30cm. Would these be interstate fish bought in from where size limits are less? What are the regulations in regards to this? Shouldn't all their fish meet QLD size limits regardless of where it was caught?

Kev

[hellfish]

Just the thought of one 30kg GT, let alone 6 Tons being caught and sold for cat food is downright sickening. Yes it may at the moment be within the confines of the law but what kind of person has the complete lack of conscience to perpetuate such reckless destruction in order to make some quick cash. I would very much like to see photos please.

[lampuki]

Mark, this doesnt require a buy back!, it just needs legislation, which is what the public votes its representives to do.

Sportfish such as tailor, GT, Snub nose dart etc should not be beach netted. Netting in yellow zones, banned!

Part of me wants to see the photo, the other part doesnt.

[mylestom]

The descriptions of the vehicles and the size of there loads, would possibly be illegal. Actual photos of the fish and vehicles might be helpful in any discussions with Govt.

[piranya56]

What can be said about such actions.. that has not already been said dozens of times in the past. What a waste.

[the gecko]

So a pro from Weipa can fish Fraser Island? Is a licence for the whole state, and any pro can fish anywhere is Qld? I thought they might be restricted to their local area.

Where would they sell this load from beach netting? Urangan Fisheries, or Brisbane markets? Please dont tell me they drive it to brisbane in unrefridgerated vans............

[Horse]

Where would they sell this load from beach netting? Urangan Fisheries, or Brisbane markets? Please dont tell me they drive it to brisbane in unrefridgerated vans............

If I was in the business I would go where the profit was better. There are strict regulations on seafood leaving the coops and distributors. I'm not sure about delivery of the raw product though. If these pros are entitled to catch the fish and make a living from it then that's OK. If the resource can be better utilised then the loss of access to the fishery has to be reimbursed in some way.
I agree that a lot of the inshore species should be non commercial but we have to be fair and pay out the people currently fishing them commercially