Avoid bird entanglement - be responsible with fishing gear

[Fisheries Queensland]

Queensland Government
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

7 January 2014
Avoid bird entanglement – be responsible with fishing gear

Recreational fishers are being encouraged to responsibly attend to their fishing gear to protect seabirds from serious injury.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officer Philippa Newton said hundreds of birds are reportedly rescued each year after being entangled in fishing lines.

“On the Gold Coast alone, more than 250 rescues of hooked and line tangled birds are performed each year from the canals and waterways,” she said.

“Many of these entanglements are the result of a fishing line that has not been disposed of properly, or from birds taking bait from, or swimming through, a line that is left unattended.

“Many of the canal systems are known for having fishing lines left out for extended periods of time.

“Often, canal residents may leave lines unattended overnight or sometimes days and may not realise the effect this practice can have on birdlife.

“Although the practice isn’t illegal, it does have devastating effects on other marine life, particularly birds, so we are urging fishers to think twice before leaving their lines out overnight.”

All species of waterbirds are at risk; however the majority of waterborne rescues are of injured swans, pelicans, ducks, cormorants and gulls. Semi-threatened species like oyster catchers and bush stone curlews have also been hooked.

Animal rescuer Rowley Goonan recently rescued a swan from a Mermaid Waters canal; an area known for having set lines left out throughout the canal system.

“The swan had a fish hook in her left foot attached by line to three hooks in her right foot, one of which was attached by a different weight of line to a hook in her bottom. All hooks were pulling against each other when she tried to move.

“There can be little doubt this bird had swam through two sets of fishing lines left unattended with multiple hooks.

“The person who set the line probably found their line broken off or spooled and would have been none the wiser about the dreadful suffering caused.”

Mr Goonan said rescuing and rehabilitating a single hooked bird is resource intensive and costly.

“It can sometimes take weeks to catch a flight capable bird, and cost thousands of dollars for surgery and rehabilitation,” he said.

“This situation could be minimised if fishers refrained from leaving lines out unattended.”

To report injured birdlife, please call the RSPCA on 1300 264 625.

For more information on responsible fishing practices, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

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

Media: Jodana Anglesey, 3087 8601
Images courtesy of Rowley Goonan: Benowa swan with fishing line entangled around beak (left); Rowley Goonan rescues entangled swan in Mermaid Waters (right)

Benowa_swan_1[1].jpgMermaid_Waters_Swan_Rowley Goonan in pic.jpg

[Triple]

Queensland Government
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

“Many of these entanglements are the result of a fishing line that has not been disposed of properly, or from birds taking bait from, or swimming through, a line that is left unattended.

“Many of the canal systems are known for having fishing lines left out for extended periods of time.

“Often, canal residents may leave lines unattended overnight or sometimes days and may not realise the effect this practice can have on birdlife.

“Although the practice isn’t illegal, it does have devastating effects on other marine life, particularly birds, so we are urging fishers to think twice before leaving their lines out overnight.”

QLD fisheries act 2008 subdivision 2 Tidal waters section 189 -
(3) A recreational fisher

- must not use a set line

https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/L...03F_120921.pdf

Also off the QLD DPI site - Fishing lines

In tidal waters, up to three fishing lines with up to six hooks in total (in any configuration) are permitted. An artificial fly or lure is deemed to be equal to one hook.
A fishing line does not include the following:

• a cross line
• a drum line
• a free-floating line
• a set line.

Fishers should be in attendance at all times when using this equipment.

http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/fisheries...r-tidal-waters

So is it illegal or not to have set lines in tidal waters left unattended?

Fresh water regs has clear defined rules regarding set lines as being marked and within 200m etc but Tidal waters clearly states must not use a set line?

Or are the canal sytems suddenly not defined as tidal?

[Luc]

IMO, all set line in whatever configuration should be illegal.

If you can't be bothered to attend your line fishing gear, it shouldn't be in the water.

From the legislation you've quoted, unattended set line in tidal waters are illegal.

Canal estates are tidal waters.

[Fisheries Queensland]

Thank you for your input on this issue, it's great to have your feedback.

Whilst the leglislation prohibits set lines in tidal water, in some circumstances fishing lines, especially rod and reel combinations, may not always be regarded as set lines.

The intention of the press release is to ensure that birds and other aquatic wildlife are not unintentionally caught and harmed by unattended fishing equipment. Recreational fishers are encouraged to ensure that their fishing practices do not unduly impact on non-target species.

Cheers,
Fisheries Queensland

[Triple]

I am fully aware of the intentions and agree that all fishers should be trying to minimize their impact but it may be misleading to some in thinking that setlines in tidal waters are legal to use.

Just for others reference -

set line

means a line used to take fish that—

(a) is prevented from unwinding
freely by a device attached to the line; and
(b) is attached to—
(i) a boat; or
(ii) something else outside, but not floating on, the
water in which it is being used.

Example for subparagraph (ii)
—
a line used to take fish that is
attached to a branch of a tree
growing in the water in which the line is being used if the
attachment is at a point above the surface of the water


So you can't leave a fixed line or tie off a hand line and you can't lock up the drag on the rod n reel you leave unattended, but drag backed off is ok to leave unattended? Who makes up this stuff?

Can you clarify the "but not floating on" in regards to pontoons in canals?

Can drum and free floating lines be used in tidal waters?

[Fisheries Queensland]

Hi Triple,

The Fisheries Regulation 2008 defines a fishing line as follows:

2A Meaning of fishing line

(1) A fishing line means, generally, fishing apparatus consisting of a line that is hand-held or attached to a rod or reel.
(2) However, a fishing line does not include the following -
(a) a cross-line;
(b) a drum line;
(c) a free-floating line;
(d) a set line.

In relation to fishing rods and reels set on pontoons, it is considered that the line is attached to the rod and reel and that it is not "attached" to the pontoon (e.g. like a rod or reel resting against a fence or a tree or in a holder on a boat). A hand line tied off to a cleat is not hand-held or attached to a rod and reel so therefore would be classed as a set line.

In relation to drum lines or free-floating lines, they are specifically excluded from the definition of a fishing line and therefore unlawful for recreational fishers in Queensland waters.

Cheers,
Fisheries Queensland