A fisherman from Cairns has received a hefty fine of $12,000 for several offences, including tampering with crab pots, leading Queensland authorities to issue a stern warning.
Between May and July of the previous year, officers from the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) gathered evidence against the fisherman for interfering with crab pots that were not his own. It was also found that he possessed the rostrum of a sawfish, a protected species in the state, as well as commercial gill nets for which he lacked the necessary authorisation.
In a further consequence of his actions, the man’s boat was confiscated and relinquished to the state, with plans to destroy it due to its poor condition, as stated by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
Gregory Bowness, Manager of QBFP, emphasized that this prosecution should remind all Queensland residents about the seriousness of interfering with crab pots. He remarked, “This man’s poor decision to touch and interfere with other people’s crab pots has cost him $12,000 and his boat.” Bowness made it clear that such actions are serious violations under the Fisheries Act 1994, which includes pulling a pot from the water, regardless of whether any crabs are removed.
The message is clear: interference with others’ fishing equipment can lead to significant legal repercussions and is taken very seriously in Queensland.