The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) has issued a warning to Gold Coast beachgoers to stay clear of commercial fishing boats.
District Manager at the QBFP, Rob McDonald said the fishing boats were launching and netting close to the shoreline until the end of August as part of the annual mullet season.
Mr McDonald said commercial fishing for mullet was permitted in tidal waters within 400 metres of land.
“Every year, we receive calls about the size and location of nets close to the shoreline,” he said.
“Commercial fishing in the area is permitted with fishers using seine nets to catch sea mullet that annually migrate along the ocean beaches.
“These nets can appear to be sizeable, but they are regulated by length, mesh size and drop.”
Mr McDonald said the QBFP would be regularly checking net sizes and lengths as well as operators’ licences, vessels and catch.
“Another concern people express is around by-catch and undersized catch, but this beach net fishery is a very selective operation and captures very few other species,” he said.
“It is an offence to interfere with a commercial fishing operation and on-the-spot fines apply.”
Mr McDonald said while the netting process was interesting to watch, “be aware when the orange flags are up, it means fishing is about to start”.
“The beach becomes a very busy workplace with moving vehicles and heavy loads of fish brought back to shore for sorting,” he said.
“Beachgoers should keep a safe distance from the action.”
