Tasmania's whitebait season has started, and the authorities will be "fishing" for poachers.
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Big penalties for whitebait poaching apply, and the history of recent seasons suggests there will be more in coming months.
"It is important that the whitebait fishery is sustainably managed, particularly in light of historic overfishing," a Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesperson said.
"This is why significant penalties apply to instances of non-compliance.
"Illegal fishing can put the sustainability of the recreational whitebait fishery at risk."
The magistrates court dealt with at least 21 whitebait offences resulting in convictions between July 1 last year and February 9.
They included taking whitebait without a licence (seven offences), possessing whitebait without a licence (five), failing to comply with a ministerial order for taking of whitebait (seven), taking excess whitebait (one) and possessing excess whitebait (one).
Thirty-five fisheries convictions took place during the period, involving just three defendants.
The Inland Fisheries Service also recorded 28 infringement notice offences and 31 infringement notice offences which resulted in conditional cautions.
Court fines during the period totalled $30,759 and infringement notice fines totalled $7728.
"The Inland Fisheries Service is committed to protecting our native fish and those vulnerable species, including whitebait," the departmental spokesperson said.
"Compliance activities are coordinated with Tasmania Police, Parks and Wildlife and Natural and Cultural Heritage-authorised officers.
"Patrol areas include both open and closed waters."
The IFS said waters open to whitebait fishing this year were:
- the Duck River, except 50 metres above or below the weir;
- the Great Forester River;
- the Henty River;
- the Inglis River;
- the Mersey River;
- the Montagu River;
- the Pieman River;
- the Derwent River;
- the Forth River;
- the Tamar River; and
- the Rubicon River, except 50 metres above or below the weir.
The season opened on October 1.
It will close on November 11.
The IFS said a whitebait licence was required to fish for whitebait.
They were available for $32 from the IFS website, Service Tasmania and some tackle shops.
Licensed anglers can take up to 2 kilograms of whitebait per day and up to 10 kilograms for the season.
People who notice illegal or suspicious activity are asked to report it by calling 1300 INFISH (1300 463 474) or emailing infish@ifs.tas.gov.au
Sean Ford
The Advocate Newspaper, Tasmania. Business, economics, politics, crime.
The Advocate Newspaper, Tasmania. Business, economics, politics, crime.
