The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has launched a campaign to crackdown on people fishing without a permit in stocked impoundments.
District Manager, North Queensland for the Boating and Fisheries Patrol, Glenn Shiels said fishers could expect to see officers on patrol at any stocked impoundment, at any time.
“It’s important that everyone does the right thing to ensure Queensland continues to have world-leading, sustainable freshwater fisheries,” Mr Shiels said.
“All fishers over 18 years must hold a permit to line fish, including catch and release fishing in Queensland’s 63 stocked dams and weirs, and they must produce it when requested by fisheries officers.”
Those who failed to do this would have to pay a $266 fine.
He said stocked impoundments were ‘put, grow and take’ fisheries, with nearly all of the funds raised from permits going back to local fish-stocking groups.
“It’s unfortunate some fishers are taking and not giving back by refusing to buy their fishing permits,” Mr Shiels said.
“That’s why the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol has begun a targeted operation across the State to ensure compliance with all fisheries regulations at our stocked impoundments.”
He said the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme had been supporting the stocking of impoundments to enhance fishing and maintain fish stocks for future generations since 2000.
An annual permit costs $50 per person, an annual concession permit is $36 and a weekly permit is $10.
