A HERVEY Bay fisher has been fined $2500 for unlawfully possessing a significant number of regulated commercial fishing nets.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) field officer Neil Conway said during the execution of a search warrant on the fisher’s house, seven regulated nets were found hidden in wine barrels.
“This is a particularly high number of nets with the potential to take commercial quantities of fish stock,” Conway said.
Some of the floats had been painted black indicating they may have been intended for use at night.
Mr Conway said the man appeared in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to a charge under section 77(1) of the Fisheries Act 1994.
Under Queensland law, a recreational fisher cannot possess regulated commercial nets without authority.
The fisher was fined a total of $2500 and the fishing nets have been forfeited.
“It’s important that everyone abides by the rules to assist long-term sustainability and resource sharing,” Conway said.
For more information on Queensland fishing regulations, visit the Fisheries website or call 13 25 23.
