News Release - Spotted mackerel offences

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/15944.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI&F Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[baldyhead]

How about the Reel Boat that is targeting Spanish Mackerel with its nets. The licence is for Grey Mackerel but this "PRO" has his 2nd boat with a Mackerel line license rafted alongside when retrieving the net and they are filleting the Spanish mackerel straight from the net. Last week after the tourist vessel left the Franklin Islands this unscrupulous "PRO" Bruce Batch x name,(his brother Brent has the line boat) shot the net into a yellow zone( Jones Patch) and took 71 Spanish Mackerel all around 20 - 25 lb in the shot and retrieve which took 1 hour.
His target areas are Fitzroy Island, Kings Point, High Island, Frankland Island, Stagg Patches, And ALL the Wrecks between Pt Douglas and Innisfail. His favorite netting time is after dark so as not to draw the crabs.
I have this information from an impeccable source.

I have reported this to QF&BP on Monday. The Officer explained to me that it is virtually impossible to catch or stop this bloke from doing this.
Baldy

[sharkbait]

19 August, 2004

QBFP spot mackerel offences in Yeppoon district
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is urging anglers to become familiar with spotted mackerel regulations before heading out to fish.

This follows three on-the-spot fines being issued in the Yeppoon district recently for spotted mackerel offences.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers issued a $225 fine for possessing between one and five undersized spotted mackerel and two $375 fines for being in possession of between six and ten undersized spotted mackerel.

A $150 Marine Infringement Notice was also issued for failing to carry current flares.

QBFP field officer Amanda Bunn said the fines were issued following reports in the area of people keeping undersized fish.

“We encourage and rely on the public for information about illegal fishing activities and this is a good outcome,” she said.

“However, it is disappointing to see that people are still doing the wrong thing and breaking fishing rules.

“Fishing regulations are in place to protect and conserve fish stocks and taking undersized fish is placing Queensland’s fisheries resources at risk.”

The minimum size limit for spotted mackerel is 60cm on the east coast with a take and possession limit of five.

In the Gulf of Carpentaria the minimum size limit is 50cm with a take and possession limit of 10.

Ms Bunn also encouraged anglers to learn to tell the difference between spotted and school mackerel which had separate regulations.

“School mackerel have a distinct patch of white near the middle of their dorsal fin which is how you tell them apart from spotted mackerel,” she said.

School mackerel have a minimum size limit of 50cm on the east coast and take and possession limit of 30.

In the Gulf of Carpentaria, the minimum size limit is 50cm and the take and possession limit is 10.

Any suspected illegal fishing activities can be reported to the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116.

[Local_Guy]

yeah. read that in todays paper i think it was sharkbait. bout time the fisheries got out in force up here and started targetting the locals who take undersize fish.

just need to get them out around Double Heads.

[Richo1]

Just get so mad when they say 'there is nothing we can do to stop this'. Investigate it!!! They have a fisheries hotline which is basicaly useless. When r they going to do something about it? So many times we have heard the same answer..... >