The State Government has recommitted its Sustainable Fisheries reforms vowing to come down hard on rogue fishers who think they can flout the rules.
Minister for Fisheries and Rural Communities, Mark Furner said the State Budget committed a further $28.1 million over three years to the ongoing 10-year Sustainable Fisheries Reforms.
“These reforms will ensure that our children and grandchildren still have fish to catch,” Mr Furner said.
“We want a sustainable commercial fishing industry in this State, and we want a sustainable recreational fishing industry as well,” he said.
“These reforms are all about maintaining the stocks of fish that belong to all Queenslanders.”
Mr Furner said illegal and black-market fishers were a direct attack on fish stocks and the wider fishing community.
“Most fishers do the right thing, but when people take fish illegally it is a slap in the face to every fisher who is doing the right thing,” he said.
“We will keep the pressure on through enforcement measures and the great work of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol, and we will never go soft on illegal fishers.”
Mr Furner said all fishers needed to be aware of the laws that ensure the sustainability of the State’s fisheries resources and comply with them.
“Offending is not supported by our community and the penalties can be significant,” he said.
Information about Queensland’s fishing regulations can be accessed at this PS News link or by downloading the free ‘Qld Fishing’ app from Apple and Google app stores.
