The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) is warning anglers to keep within the law after recreational fisher was fined $30,000 in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court for fishing during the coral reef fin fish closed season and for exceeding possession limits.

QBFP district manager Greg Bowness said the heavy fine reflected the serious nature of the offenses.

“The fisher was caught in the early hours of the morning at Round Hill Creek, Town of 1770, with commercial quantities of fish believed to be intended to be sold on the black market,” Mr Bowness said.

The fisher was found in possession of a substantial haul of ill-gotten marine produce, inclduing 116 coral reef fin fish during the closed season, six skinless, 93 coral reef fin fish in excess of the combined possession limit of 20, three sharks in excess of the possession limit of one, 33 pearl perch in excess of the possession limit of fit and two Samson fish in excess of the possession limit of two.

“In addition, nine of these fish were undersize," Mr Bownness added.

“The fisher was charged $17,500 for three offences related to fishing during the closed season, possessing skinned fillets and possessing fish not complying with size and possession limits. 

“An additional penalty of $12,500 (five times the commercial value of the catch) was also imposed, plus court costs.”

Mr Bowness said the conviction was the result of an extensive investigation into suspected black market fishing activities in the 1770/Agnes Waters area.

“Fisheries officers from Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, as well as the Surveillance and Investigation Unit worked together to execute the operation,” he said.