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| Fisheries Queensland crab pot clean-ups Gladstone waters |
Fisheries Queensland is continuing its program of rolling crab pot clean-ups with the latest blitz focused on Gladstone waters.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said over two days, officers from Gladstone and Yeppoon targeted the South Trees Inlet and Calliope River seizing almost 70 abandoned or non-compliant pots as well as an unattended fishing net.
“The equipment was deemed to be in a poor state and of no commercial value so we had no option but to destroy it,” Mr Furner said.
Mr Furner said derelict equipment was bad for fish stocks because it could continue “ghost fishing”, trapping target and non-target species but never being checked or removed.
“Doing this work reduces the pressure on our fish and crab stocks, leaving more for both commercial and recreational fishers and protecting jobs in both sectors.
“This contributes to building a legacy of a sustainable fishery for our children and grandchildren.”
Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said it was every fisher’s responsibly to make sure their gear was compliant with the rules.
“I urge fishers to remove their crab pots from the water when they leave a fishing site,” Mr Butcher said.
“It is important to mark crab pots with the owner's surname and address.
“These resources belong to all Queenslanders and we need to make sure they are protected for future generations of commercial and recreational fishers.”
You can report derelict fishing gear or illegal activity to Fishwatch on 1800 017 116 (toll-free within Queensland).
This clean-up is part of QBFP’s rolling crab pot clean up across the state.