Illegal Fishing, Pine Rivers

Couldn't get this one taken up by the papers so here it is:

Anglers are frustrated by the Department of Fisheries’ inaction on patrolling illegal fishing in the North Pine River and are concerned with the rising number of violent confrontations occurring between locals and poachers.

Local angler James Whary said he had witnessed people taking up to 50 bass a day in large white buckets from a section of the river, causing locals to dub the poachers ‘The White Bucket Brigade’.

Mr Whary said the tension between local anglers and poachers was likely to worsen.

“No-one wants to get stabbed over a fish, but this spot is used by so many sports fishermen and fish loving people who do the right thing,” he said.

Local angler Dan (who asked for his surname to be withheld) had his thumb broken after an argument between two illegal fishermen escalated into physical assault.

He was attacked with a tyre lever and then had his fishing rod and mobile phone stolen by the two assailants.

Dan reported the incident to the Police but was later notified that the car his attackers used to escape in was registered under a woman’s name, who denied knowing the men or anybody matching their description.

“So they basically can’t do anything,” Dan said.

Local anglers are frustrated by the lack of resources the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) have dedicated to the issue.

A Fisheries Queensland spokesperson said that in the past three months there had been five recreational fishing related offences in the Pine Rivers and that Queensland Boating & Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers regularly patrol the area.

“QBFP enforces fisheries and boating safety laws through surveillance and inspection, as well as undertaking related education with industry and community groups,” the spokesperson said.

“Fishers possessing undersized fish or a greater number of fish than is permitted also risk prosecution action,” he said.

Local angler Dean (who also asked for his surname to be withheld) said he had witnessed protected lungfish being taken from the river and he believes the illegal fishing comes down to a simple disregard for the law.

“People are saying that they need education [on catch sizes and limits], but when is this going to stop being used an excuse?” he said.

“They definitely know the laws.”

Frustrated by the lack of prosecutions, Anglers have begun taking matters into their own hands by confronting illegal Anglers, damaging their vehicles and in some cases throwing rods and tackle into the river.

Angler Aaron Collens said confrontations were on the rise.

“I’ve heard of people throwing beer bottles at them and I have heard fish-fights going on: chucking their fishing rods in the creek,” Mr Collens said.

“I can understand where they’re coming from with the scare tactics, hoping that they won’t come back,” he said.

“It’s getting to the point where I don’t feel like going out there any more.

“It’s nice to go there as a social thing; we catch and release so there’s always fish there to catch next time but they’re taking them out in esky-fulls.”

A Moreton Bay Regional Council spokesperson said council was concerned about any illegal activity that may put the health and biodiversity waterways at risk, however the enforcement of bag-limits and bans on under-size and endangered fish are a matter for the Queensland Government’s Department of Fisheries.