Two central Queensland commercial fishers caught with illegal mud crabs have been fined a total of AUS$26,000 in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court.
Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke, said the court’s penalty sent a message to all fishers that the illegal take of Queensland fisheries resources will not be tolerated.
“By blatantly disregarding Queensland’s fisheries laws and taking protected species, these fishers have threatened the sustainability of fish stocks and the future viability of their industry,” Mr O’Rourke said.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers inspected a commercial fishing vessel at the Port Alma boat ramp in November 2018 finding three bins containing live mud crabs, including 51 protected female mud crabs and four male mud crabs.
Two commercial fishers pleaded guilty to charges under the Fisheries Act on 29 October 2019. The magistrate imposed a fine of AUS$14,000 and recorded a conviction against a 29 year-old man who had a history of previous fisheries offences whilst an AUS$12,000 fine was given to a 49 year-old man.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, said both offenders were licensed commercial fishers who have been fishing in the area for more than a decade and they should have known better. “We make no apologies for being tough on illegal fishing. This is what it takes to build a legacy of a sustainable fishery for our children and grandchildren,” he said.
