The first fisho to be fined in Queensland for fishing a green zone within a marine park has received a $500 fine.
The man was reportedly fishing within the Tripcony Bight green zone in the Pumicestone Passage. He has become the first recipient of a fine issued under the new Moreton Bay Marine Park zone plan.
Queensland Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said ignorance was no longer an excuse, as everyone should know where not to fish.
“This was a recreational fisherman, out on his own, who was spotted with a line in the middle of the green zone,” Jones said.
“Those who flout the new green zones can expect to be fined.”
Jones also thanked the large number of visitors to the Moreton Bay Marine Park over the recent school holidays, when no breaches of the zoning laws were reported.
“Marine Park rangers who inspected 24 zones in the first week of July reported that they had spoken to dozens of people and had no cause to issue any verbal warnings,” she said.
The Moreton Bay Marine Park, introduced this year, has seen 16 per cent of Moreton Bay turned into green (no fishing) zones.
